Hamas ready to talk to Israel
13 Sep CASTANET.net
A senior Hamas leader says the group is willing to talk directly to
Israel, reversing a previous ban.In an interview with Al Quds TV to be
broadcast later Thursday, Hamas No. 2 Musa Abu Marzouk says “Hamas is
willing to talk directly to the Israelis” over issues including Gaza
border crossings and prisoner releases.
Just as you negotiate with weapons you can also negotiate by talk,”
he said in a tape of the interview obtained by The Associated Press. “Up
till now our policy was no negotiation with (Israel), but others should
be aware that this issue is not taboo.”
His comments come two weeks after the end of a bloody war in the Gaza
Strip, which Hamas has run since 2007. Over the weekend the group came
in for criticism from Western-backed Palestinian Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas, putting further pressure on it after the heavy losses it
sustained during the fighting.Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev
said he would not comment until Abu Marzouk's remarks are
broadcast.Israel has consistently said it will not talk directly to
Hamas until the Islamic militant group recognizes its right to exist and
renounces violence.
During the interview Abu Marzouk gave no indication that Hamas was
considering taking such steps. Rather, he insisted the reason for the
change in policy reflected growing tensions with Abbas, whom Hamas
believes is trying to reclaim control of Gaza.
Hamas finds itself compelled to make this move when the natural
rights of the people in Gaza come under pressure from the Palestinian
Authority and the government,” he said.Israel and Hamas have held
several rounds of indirect negotiations through Egyptian mediators in
recent years, mainly over prisoner exchanges and cease-fire agreements.
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