Hamas proposed a yearlong truce with Israel, if it pulled its troops from Gaza as a senior Israeli defence official was due back in Cairo on Friday to discuss an Egyptian plan to end the offensive.

Moussa Abu Marzuk, the Damascus-based deputy head of Hamas's powerful politburo, told AFP the offer was made by a Hamas delegation during talks in Cairo with Egyptian officials.

"Those were the movement's remarks on the Egyptian initiative, this is what we proposed," Abu Marzuk said in a telephone interview when asked about reports that Hamas had proposed a one-year-long renewable truce with Israel.

Hamas was waiting for Israel's response, he said early Friday.

"We are waiting for an answer from Egypt after they talk to (Israeli envoy) Amos Gilad," Abu Marzuk said.

Gilad, a senior aide to Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, was due back in Cairo on Friday for further discussions on the Egyptian truce plan.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert held talks with senior ministers and defense officials late on Thursday after Gilad returned from Egypt, and he decided to send Gilad back to Cairo for further discussions, a statement from Olmert's office said.

-AFP