Gazans say ready for truce if Israel ‘stops aggression’

The main Palestinian groups in Gaza, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, said on Monday they were ready for a ceasefire if Israel “stops its aggression” against the territory.

“The Islamic and nationalist movement confirm that the response of the resistance depends on whether the Zionist aggression against our people is continued,” they said in a statement released at a news conference in Gaza City.

A flare-up in violence since Saturday has claimed the lives of six Palestinians, as armed groups fired more than 115 rockets at Israel, wounding eight people.

Egyptian security sources said Cairo has been attempting to broker a ceasefire, with militants from Gaza’s ruling Hamas movement and from Islamic Jihad saying they would observe any truce “provided Israel commits to doing the same.”