Hamas to stick to August truce with Israel: official

GAZA, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Hamas movement informed Egypt and other parties on Friday that it is committed to the cease-fire agreement reached with Israel in August, a senior official said.

Hamas deputy chief Ismail Haneya told reporters in Gaza that "We held contacts with Egypt and other parties and informed them that Hamas is committed to the cease-fire agreement reached in Cairo in Aug. 26."

He added that Hamas will be committed to the agreement reached in Cairo "as long as and as much as the occupation is committed to it."

On Wednesday, a Hamas militant was killed in a short gun-battle with an Israeli army ground force near the borders between southeast Gaza Strip and Israel, after a Hamas sniper shot and wounded an Israeli soldier.

Israel sent a warning to Hamas through Egypt and other mediators that the Israeli army would strongly strike the movement in case Hamas militants carry more attacks or fire rockets into Israel.

On Thursday, Hamas leaders met representatives of political factions and powers, and agreed that they all are committed to the cease-fire.

On July 8, the Israeli army launched a large-scale air and ground military operation that lasted for 50 days, aiming at destroying tunnels that Hamas militants dug from Gaza into Israel.

The offensive ended after Egypt brokered a truce between the two sides. The war left 2,200 Palestinians and 70 Israelis killed and more than 11,000 injured, while also destructed large numbers of housing and infrastructure in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Haneya called on Egypt to permanently open Rafah crossing point between the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and Egypt, and allow access of construction materials into Gaza for the rebuilding process.