Gaza City  - The radical Palestinian Hamas movement on Saturday downplayed Israel's rejection of its offer of a six-month truce.

An Israeli government spokesman rejected Hamas' offer Friday, saying it was "not serious."

Mahmoud al-Zahar, a Hamas leader who took part in the talks with Egyptian mediators, said that his movement "doesn't take the official response from the media."

"What we take is that which comes from the Egyptian side because it mediates between us and the occupation (forces)," al-Zahar told reporters after he returned to Gaza from Egypt.

He said Hamas expected "to get an answer after less than one week."

Gaza City  - A 14-year-old Palestinian girl was killed and five people were wounded early Saturday in fighting between the Israeli army and Palestinian militants in the northern Gaza Strip town of

Gaza  - Several Israeli army tanks and bulldozers stormed before dawn on Thursday the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, killing one Palestinian militant, medics and witnesses reported.

Gaza - Any ceasefire between Hamas and Israel would have to extend to the West Ba

Gaza - A Hamas delegation wi

Gaza - An Islamic Hamas militant was killed and two wounded early Saturday when an Israeli aircraft struck a group of militants east of Gaza City, medics and witnesses said.