Hamas declares end to ceasefire with Israel in Gaza

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-19-2008 08:35

In the Mideast, Hamas has declared an end to a six-month-old ceasefire with Israel in the Gaza Strip. The move has raised the prospect of an escalation in cross-border fighting.

A member of Hamas security forces inspects a damaged house  following an Israeli airstrike, in the town of Beit Lahiya  in the northern Gaza Strip December 18, 2008.  (Suhaib Salem/Reuters)

Hamas official Ayman Taha said the calm is now over. He made the announcement after talks with Palestinian factions in the coastal enclave controlled by his group.

He said the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire would not be renewed because Israel did not abide by its obligations to ease a crippling blockade of the Gaza Strip and halt all attacks.

Editor:Du Xiaodan