JUST ANOTHER POLITICAL PARTY:

Hamas Agrees to Cease Attacks (Ken Ellingwood, February 13, 2005, LA Times)

Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar said after Saturday's meeting that his group was "committed to what is called 'quietness.' " He added that Hamas would launch strikes against Israeli targets in retaliation for any perceived hostile acts by Israel.

The group said Thursday's attack, which caused no injuries, was in response to the deaths of two Palestinians, one of them a man who was shot while walking near a settlement in southern Gaza.

In a shift, Hamas said it would consult first with Palestinian Authority officials before deciding on any retaliation.

Hamas wrote its own future when it became a social services organization instead of just a terror group.

Posted by Orrin Judd at February 13, 2005 8:48 AM