Hamas leader considers Israel truce

DAMASCUS, Syria, March 28 (UPI) -- Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal has told Arab leaders he would be willing to seriously consider a truce with Israel.

Mashaal, living in Damascus, Syria, said all factions of the Palestinian resistance are in agreement "to seriously examine the issue of a calm," so long as it would be "overall, concurrent and mutual."

The message was timed to coincide with the Arab League summit this weekend in Damascus, The Jerusalem Post said.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad reportedly told Egypt that they would accept a truce with Israel if it included the West Bank as well as the Gaza Strip.