PM: Hamas ceasefire offer irrelevant to IDF mission in Gaza

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon rejected a Hamas offer for a ceasefire on Saturday night, saying that the Isreal Defense Forces will continue operations in Gaza in order to insure the safety of Israeli citizens.

"Words are irrelevant. The IDF is taking needed measures to ensure the peace of Israel's citizens. That's what it has to do, and that's what will be done," Sharon told Israel Radio.

Earlier Saturday, top Hamas militant in Gaza Ismail Haniyah announced that his organization is willing to stop firing Qassam rockets at Israeli towns, if Israel stops its "aggression." He did not specify what he defined as aggression.

Meanwhile, masked Hamas gunmen threatened at a news conference Saturday to fire homemade Qassam rockets at the coastal city of Ashkelon, which has been out of reach until now.

Four members of Hamas military wing Iz a Din al-Kassam held the news conference in the Al Noor Mosque in the Jabalya refugee camp.

One of the Hamas gunmen said the group would fire missiles at Ashkelon, a city about 15 kilometers (10 miles) north of Gaza.

Qassam rockets have a range of about 10 kilometers (six miles), though Hamas said it is working to expand the reach. A year ago, a Hamas rocket fell in an industrial zone south of Ashkelon, near a power station.

The Hamas gunmen said they would put up a tough fight against Israel Defense Forces troops who have set up positions inside Jabalya for the first time in four years of fighting.

"All our cells are spread out throughout Jabalya, as part of our plan to kick out the enemy," one of the gunmen said.

"We will teach the enemy a lesson he will not forget."

The gunmen stood behind a weapons display, including rocket-propelled grenade launchers, assault rifles, grenades, mortar shells and homemade anti-tank shells.

The Hamas members had planned to present a slide show after answering questions from journalists. However, the news conference was stopped short after the sound of an IAF drone, or unmanned aircraft, was heard overhead.

Palestinian security officials have said the drones have been used to fire missiles.

	Izzedine al Qassam militants standing in front of various weapons at a news conference in a mosque in Jabalya on Saturday. (AP)