Ahlul Bayt News Agency ; Hamas called Sunday on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to quit negotiating with Israel, and instead focus on attempts to end the rift between the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority and the democratic Palestinian government in Gaza.
The call came amid uncertainty over the future of the talks, as Abbas has threatened to end the recently-launched negotiations if Israel does not extend a 10-month freeze on construction in West Bank settlements, which is due to expire at midnight local time Sunday.
Last-minute attempts are reported to be currently under way to find a compromise which would allow the negotiations to continue.
"The best Palestinian response to (Israeli premier Benjamin) Netanyahu's stubbornness is that Abbas withdraw from the negotiations and announce their end," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement.
"Instead, Abbas should hurry up in finalizing the inter-Palestinian reconciliation,and end the current rift and reunite the Palestinian people," the statement said.
In another context, the Hebrew radio reported that Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu would not agree to any formula calling for freezing construction in West Bank settlements.
It said on Saturday the Israeli government is willing to continue its talks with the PA, but it would be hard for it to stop settlement activities.
The Israeli decision to freeze settlement construction would end this Monday, while Abbas threatened to withdraw from the talks if Israel persisted in its settlement activities.
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