Hamas leader on truce prospects: "Maybe never"

CAIRO U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Cairo Monday to join Egypt-brokered talks between Hamas and Israel with a goal of agreeing on a cease-fire. There's a real sense that with all the instability in the region - the civil war in Syria, protests in Jordan, militants in Libya - that an escalation in hostilities would have disastrous effects.

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Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil told the Reuters news agency that the talks were making progress and that he expected a cease-fire agreement to come in the next few days.

However, at a press conference later in the day, Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Meshaal showed no signs that an agreement was imminent, saying that it was Israel's responsibility to stop a fight it had started and that Hamas would only agree to a truce if key demands were met.

"We don't accept Israeli conditions because it is the aggressor," he told reporters in Egypt. "We want a cease-fire along with meeting our demands ... Israel has to stop killing and assassinating our leaders. They have to stop the invasion and end the blockade on Gaza."

Israel is unlikely to agree to that for fear that lifting the blockade would allow weapons to flood into Gaza and into the hands of militants.

After years of existing as an international pariah - with Syria and Iran as its primary allies - Hamas has been emboldened by the support it now receives from key regional powers such as Egypt, Turkey and Qatar.

Meshaal warned that the Middle East has changed with the Arab Spring, and he called on Muslim countries to stand together against Israel.

Asked by CBS News if Hamas wants peace with Israel, Meshaal responded with a message for the United States:

"If God is willing, the American people will wake up and realize that it will benefit them to support the 350 million Arabs, not Israel, to be with the 1.5 billion Muslims and not Netanyahu's gangs ... Don't reverse the picture. The killer should offer this peace, not the victim."

But amid the bluster and bravado, Meshaal's very presence in Cairo for talks is a strong sign that Hamas would like to see a cease-fire.

Meshaal did concede that Hamas does not want an escalation in hostilities. Asked when he thought a truce might be agreed upon, he was elusive.

"Maybe today or tomorrow," he said, "or maybe never."

[cynthiascott301k]

Whom is Israel ? what is Israel ? Ammaggedon!!! Be still and wait The heaven's declare it's glory. The true living almighty creator of this world our little eyes cannot see will strike one blessed day his wonders will perform. Let human do as much as they could but not as long as they wish.

[cynthiascott301k]

Israel is the real living Hitler of today's world. Hitler is long gone but his spirit's and Ghost survive's alive in Israel.

[trainman6]

Well i guess that he is not in harms way to say "maybe never" if that is the wya he feels then let the invasion begin. Once 85% of he terrorist are killed the rest will change their minds, its just a amazing thing how that works. For all you critics out there, see how long you would put up with having rockets launched at your country 800 of them and thats before Isreal said enough is enough and defended itself.

[cynthiascott301k]

There's some unseen involvement in this dirty life game. And Hamas on the other hand should know to a fact it cannot fight Israel with all the arms they the Israeli's already got in keep, should keep their ass quiet and stop provoking the devilish Israeli. They Hamas are the ones whom open the gates of hell in their own ass causing the innocent children's death. Now no one on either side want's to stoop for peace to prevail.

[cynthiascott301k]

Israel wanted some attention and they've got it now. Things like these make's one wonder if there's an existing God for real... Where could Justice sprung from... How to subdue these blood thirsty criminals on either side.

[cynthiascott301k]

About the strapping of bombs on bodies ..Is there a difference with getting up there in the sky in planes and helicopters and blasting a big building with innocent children, and other helpless humans make it any difference? Sickening indeed...

[quietmedic]

The difference is this.

Hamas indiscriminately shoots rockets into Israel HOPING TO KILL CIVILIANS AND CHILDREN, firing from schools and buildings.

Israel SURGICALLY strikes TERRORIST targets with EXTREME DISCRETION, and mourns unfortunate civilian deaths.

To quote Golda Meir "...we will perhaps in time be able to forgive the Arabs for killing our sons, but it will be harder for us to forgive them for having forced us to kill their sons"

Hamas must perpetuate the violence, or else they will lose their whole reason to exist. They provoke Israel to perpetuate their "struggle". Hamas acts against the Palestinian interest, executing supposed "collaborators" and dragging their dead bodies through the street to perpetuate a rule of terror on their own people. There are not the actions of a group intent on peace or reconciliation. These are barbaric acts of madness, and the Palestinian people are placed in the middle with no recourse.

The minute that Hamas decides to dedicate themselves to building Gaza, rather than fighting Israel, Israel will be OVERJOYED to help them build a thriving beautiful country. Israelis don't want to fight or send their 18 year old boys and girls to war. We do it because we have to. I should know, I am Israeli.

[TimUpham]

If Khaled Meshaal has the nerve to say the truce prospects are "Maybe never." Is it because he is not satisfied with the number of Palestinians already dead in Gaza? Did he study statesmanship from Pol Pot? If Hamas recognized the State of Israel, Israel could assist Gaza in developing its share of the Tamar natural gas fields. An operational airpot in Gaza could be used by Israeli farmers in the Negev, to come up there to fly out fresh fruit and flowers to markets overnight in Europe. Gaza could be getting service fees and tax revenues off of it. Instead of defiance, how about acceptance. Gaza would definitely be fairing a lot better from it.

[cynthiascott301k]

One must understand Khaled Meshaal is human too and is living in a life of torments and frustrations dealing with the demands of the devil seeing as times rolls by, Israel the Vampire sre feeding on the lives and blood of the Palestinians people and no one, not even America The Worlds power could stop it. No GOD in sight or unseen could stop Israel. Just peep at this tyrany Israel is protected but 3 people got killed. Palestine Is not protected and 111 humans lives taken by Israel and she is very thirsty for a ground war she is now began suckling on the palestinian with full supports world wide..Khaled is suicidal. life is no longer a promising value for him, he doesnt give a damn living any more. but what happen to the innocents ?

[shaycrystal]

Everyone keeps saying the word terrorist to describe the other, but one man's terrorist is another freedom fighter. When looking at this conflict the news report that 3 Israel's are dead and over 100 from Palestine. When you look at the little babies being killed , one has to question the word terrorist.At the same time we have been looking at this for years upon years and America's position is always one of support for Israel and so the countries fight. I think that this time for once America should not support and I can guarantee you that the fighting will stop.I think that Israel get's into these fight's knowing that they have the support of the USA. When I looked at Nethanayu at the UN conference, it was easy to see that he was spoiling for a fight. He wanted to fight Iran, then he sent stuff into Syria, then finally he is fighting in Gaza.These leaders should look at the number of deaths in war and think seriously about making this the last resort.

[cynthiascott301k]

This is very one sided. This is sad This should not be continue for the sake of humanity. And God never gave a one person any land. What is happening is pure evil Just take a good look at the photo's of those innocent babies and children bodies will break any iron heart.what these innocent do to put to death in this hearthless manner? Who in their right mind would support this? This is not self defense, The Animals are loose and cannot be tamed to save humans life. There's no room for "PEACE PERFECT PEACE" Let alone the Beast to devour each other to the last one standing, for this has been going on for to long, to many a years.

[iAceMadman]

"he called on Muslim countries to stand together against Israel."

Time for the mother of all wars, we can see the religious war on our televisions or Internet late into the morning hours.

Do they get to use phosphorus grenades, or can we see the cluster bombs as they spead out their deadly reward. Just you wait.

[bobnjersey]

["We want a cease-fire along with meeting our demands ... Israel has to stop killing and assassinating our leaders.]
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what you want ... and what you get ... are usually two very different things.