[Reuters] Mohammed Assadi and Adam Entous - A U.S.-backed push for a future Palestinian state hinges on Mahmoud Abbas doing what may seem impossible - getting Hamas Islamists to give up the Gaza Strip and disarm. Israeli Prime Minister Olmert has vowed not to carry out any peace deal until Abbas reins in militants, including Palestinian Hamas Islamists who seized control of Gaza in June. Hamas has vowed to undermine Abbas' talks with Olmert by keeping up its fight against Israel. Zakaria al-Qaq of al-Quds University said of Hamas: "[Abbas] will not be able to deliver (a state) without Hamas. He has to buy them in and now the price will be very large." Hamas, which does not recognize Israel, said on Thursday there was "no place for Jews" in the land.
2007-11-30 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive