Israel captures top Hamas commander

Witnesses said troops surrounded Hamed8217;s hideout and then forced their way in using lock-busting bombs on the doors. A second Palestinian was also taken into custody in the raid, the witnesses said.

The army said that Hamed was responsible for attacks on Israelis, including Hamas suicide bombings that killed more than 60 people. He is also accused of planning attacks on Israel8217;s rail infrastructure and gas depots.

An Israeli colonel involved in the capture told Army Radio that Hamas would have trouble replacing Hamed. 8216;8216;What made him special was his creativity in finding complex ways to attack Israelis,8217;8217; the colonel said. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the arrest would not dent the group8217;s capabilities.

8216;8216;Hamed will neither be the first nor the last resistance leader to be arrested or martyred,8217;8217; Zuhri said.

Israeli military action against Hamas has become relatively rare, with security forces focusing efforts against another militant group, Islamic Jihad, which has spurned ceasefire efforts and carried out most of the recent suicide attacks.

Conditional ceasefire possible, says Haniyeh

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said the Hamas-led government is willing to offer a conditional long-term ceasefire. 8216;8216;If Israel withdraws to the 1967 borders, peace will prevail and we will implement a ceasefire for many years,8217;8217; Haniyeh told the daily Ha8217;Aretz. 8216;8216;Our government is prepared to maintain a long-term ceasefire with Israel,8217;8217; he added. The Hamas leader also said that his government is ready for talks with Israel on practical matters, though not on ideological or political issues.