Hamas rejects Gaza truce unless blockade lifted

In this file picture of July 21 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (centre R) meets with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Doha                                Reuters AFP/DohaHamas Wednesday rejected a ceasefire to end 16 days of deadly fighting with Israel unless the blockade on the Gaza Strip is lifted, its chief Khaled Meshaal said in Doha. "We reject today and will reject in the future" a ceasefire before negotiations on Hamas's demands, which include lifting years of blockade against the Palestinian enclave, Meshaal told reporters.