Hamas, Israel, mull cease-fire

JERUSALEM, June 2 (UPI) -- Hamas leaders have proposed a one-year cease-fire if Israel agrees to stop attacking Hamas militants, it was reported Saturday.

Hamas deputy political leader Moussa Abu Marzouk said Palestinians want calm restored in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

 Israel would respond "doubtfully and carefully" to the offer, countered an unnamed senior Israeli official, Haaretz reported.

The conditional cease-fire also was endorsed by Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal, who made the offer during a telephone conversation Friday with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

The Qatari prime minister then conveyed the message in a call to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Haaretz reported.