Most Israelis back talks with Hamas: poll

JERUSALEM - Most Israelis think their government should hold direct talks with Hamas to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and secure the release of a captured serviceman, an opinion poll said on Wednesday.

According to the survey published in the liberal Haaretz newspaper, 64 percent believe Israel should hold direct talks with the Islamist movement on a ceasefire and the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Gaza militants in June 2006.

Only 28 percent of the respondents said Israel should not hold talks with Hamas, which refuses to recognise the Jewish state’s right to exist and is regarded as a terrorist group by Israel and the West.

Israel imposed a punishing blockade on Gaza following Shalit’s abduction, which was further tightened after Hamas violently seized power in the territory in June last year.

The Israeli army carries out regular air and ground strikes in the densely-populated territory in a bid to curb the near daily rocket fire against southern Israel.

The Haaretz poll was conducted among 500 people.