Hamas says it won’t renew truce with Israel

PRIME Minister Ariel Sharon widened his lead over his rivals yesterday as Hamas said its nine-month truce is over.

A poll in The Yediot Ahronot daily said Mr Sharon’s new Kadima Party would capture 39 of 120 seats in parliament, up from 34 seats in a poll the previous week.

That would put him in a strong position to form a ruling coalition supporting his aim of restarting peace talks with the Palestinians.