The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said Thursday it is ready to accept a one-year renewable truce with Israel in the Gaza Strip, Egyptian media reported.

Smoke rises during Israel’s offensive in Gaza January 15, 2009. Israel unleashed its heaviest shelling of Gaza’s crowded neighbourhoods on Thursday, hitting a U.N. compound and a media building in what might be a final push against Hamas before a ceasefire deal. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The Palestinian group that controls the coastal strip also asks for the reopening of its border crossings with international guarantees.

On Wednesday, a Hamas delegation presented a detailed vision to Egyptian mediators on a ceasefire in the embattled Gaza Strip.

Salah al-Bardawil, a member of the Hamas delegation for talks with Egyptian officials on Gaza ceasefire, said at a press conference here on Wednesday evening that “We have no difference with Egyptian leadership (on a ceasefire).”

On Thursday morning, head of the Israeli Defense Ministry’s Diplomatic-Security Bureau Amos Gilad also arrived in Cairo for talks with Egyptian mediators on a ceasefire in Gaza.

According to Egyptian TV reports, Israel responded to the Egyptian ceasefire initiative “favorably,” but had some “reservations” on Hamas’ vision.

The Israeli military offensive against Gaza since Dec. 27, 2008,has so far killed over 1,077 Palestinians and wounded nearly 5,000 others. 　

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet