Peace talks hope despite missile blitz

Israel says negotiations can restart

- KAREEM CHEHAYEB

ISRAEL Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to order negotiators to resume Gaza ceasefire talks.

His decision yesterday followed a new response from Hamas to a US-backed proposal for an end to the conflict that has killed thousands.

An Israeli official said Mr Netanyahu will authorise a team to continue peace talks, at a date yet to be revealed.

The development came as Hezbollah, a fellow Iran-backed ally of Hamas, launched more than 200 rockets at military bases in northern Israel yesterday in retaliation for an attack that killed one of its senior commanders.

Israel had said Mohammad Naameh Nasser died in an air strike on Tuesday.