A leader of Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said late Thursday that the group is likely to discuss truce with Israel with view of helping the Palestinian presidential elections slated for Jan.9, 2005.

Mahmoud Zahar, a Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, made the remarks to reporters after meeting here with Mahmoud Abbas,chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

The negotiations could begin next week, Zahar said, adding "if the Israelis stop their aggression against our people, I think we can reach a final agreement through the negotiations."

Zahar, however, stuck to Hamas' longstanding conditions for a ceasefire, saying Israel must stop all military raids in the Palestinian territories.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Thursday that Israel would halt military operations in Palestinian areas if calm prevails.

Hamas, which has been blamed by Israel for killing hundreds of Israelis in suicide bomb attacks, has earlier called on its members to boycott Palestinian presidential elections.

Source: Xinhua