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Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/10/AR2008091000980.html
Israel: Hamas More Powerful than PA
[AP/Washington Post/Ynet News] Steven Gutkin - Israel's point man in indirect, Egyptian-mediated talks with Hamas, senior Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad, said Wednesday the Islamic militant group is more powerful than the Western-backed Palestinian government. Gilad, making a rare appearance before foreign diplomats and journalists at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, said current peace talks between Israel and the moderate Palestinian forces in charge of the West Bank are not likely to bear fruit until those forces retake Gaza from Hamas. "It's very difficult to sign an agreement with half your body," he said. Gilad said he believes Hamas' goal is to take over the West Bank as well. For the time being, however, he said the militants have decided to halt suicide bombings and rocket attacks on Israel because "the price is too high."