A Hamas official has claimed Hamas will honour an unofficial truce with Israel following the terrorist organisation's reconciliation with Fatah.

According to an Associated Press report, a Hamas security official said members would hold fire until after a new Palestinian Authority government was formed.

The longtime rivals revealed last Wednmesday that they had reached a deal to form an interim government for the Palestinian Authority and to set a date for an election.

However Hamas has not officially agreed to a ceasefire or to recognise Israel's right to exist, which both Israel and the Obama administration said was a necessary condition if Hamas were to join a Palestinian government.

Yesterday Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh condemned the killing of al-Qaida head Osama bin Laden and said the operation was "the continuation of the American oppression and shedding of blood of Muslims and Arabs."