GAZA, March 12 (RIA Novosti) - Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, set out on Wednesday its conditions for a ceasefire with Israel, and said talks were underway with Egypt.

Ismail Haniyeh, the group's prime minister in Gaza, said in a speech delivered at Gaza's Islamic University: "Israelis must commit themselves to ending all acts of aggression against our people, lift the blockade and open the borders."

He also said that Gaza leaders are holding talks with Egypt, which "is also negotiating with other sides; we are holding talks on mutual calm, which should also lead to a lifting of the economic blockade."

Israeli officials said there were no plans for direct talks with Palestinian militant groups.

Egypt has been trying to persuade Israel and the Islamist groups in the Palestinian territories to reach a truce.

Earlier today Israeli forces killed an Islamic Jihad militant in the West Bank near the town of Tulkarm, after he resisted arrest. Israeli military also arrested 15 Palestinians, mostly members of the radical movement, and closed down a radio station controlled by the Islamists in Jenin.

Although Israel and the radical movements have officially denied a ceasefire agreement has been reached, there has been a sharp decline in rocket attacks since Israel ended a devastating offensive in Gaza nine days ago, which saw 120 Palestinians killed, many of them women and children.