Hamas leader rejects ceasefire demands

Hamas' top political chief refused to accept Israel's demands for a ceasefire today, insisting the siege of Gaza must be lifted before his group halts rocket attacks.

Khaled Mashaal asked a gathering of Arab leaders in the Qatari capital to back Hamas in its demands, to announce a boycott of Israel and cut off any ties with the Jewish state.

He said Hamas was sticking by its demands that a border openings into the Gaza Strip must be opened immediately before it will stop rocket attacks.