Sources: Hamas eyeing truce extension

GAZA, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Hamas officials are considering requesting a six-month extension on a Gaza Strip peace agreement from Israel, Palestinian sources say.

The unidentified sources in Gaza said this week that with a six-month truce set to expire in December, Hamas officials are contemplating an extension to that pact, Haaretz reported Friday.

"To date, Israel has not met its commitments regarding the transit of merchandise to the strip," one senior Hamas official said. "Our focus (in talks) with Egypt is currently the issue of reconciliation with Fatah, but it is not inconceivable that the issue of the cease-fire could come up for discussion. If Israel meets its commitments, Hamas will seek to continue the truce."

Meanwhile, other sources told Ynetnews that any truce extension could be in danger due to an ongoing conflict between Hamas official Khaled Mashaal and Ramadan Abdullah Shallah, the secretary-general for Islamic Jihad.

The unidentified sources told Ynetnews the conflict between the two leaders intensified when Islamic Jihad was forced out of this week's Doha Conference by Hamas.