Hamas denies agreement with Palestinian government to halt resistance against Israel

The Palestinian National Resistance Movement Hamas on Friday denied news that it has reached an agreement with the Palestinian government providing for halting resistance operations against the Israeli occupation.

In a statement to AFP, one of Hamas movement's leadership member in Gaza Ismael Abu Shanab said there was no such an agreement, rather an understanding in that the movement is ready to study a request to freeze the military operations for a limited period of time until the implementation of the Wye River agreement, but under the condition that positive atmospheres are prevailing.

Abu Shanab explained "We told the Palestinian officials at the PAS if the home-arrest is lifted from the founder of the Hamas Movement, Palestinian detainees are freed, Hamas offices reopened and the concept of political pluralism is honored, all these will create positive atmospheres which will enable the movement's leadership for studying the matter and taking a decision concerning it." Shanab added the contacts with the Palestinian government on this matter were suspended after the lifting of the home-arrest from Sheikh Ahmad Yassin as no other steps were carried out that seem to be encouraging to ensure positive atmospheres that promote Hamas to take a decision in this respect.

He asserted Hamas's stand concerning negotiations with Israel in that the Palestinian government alone negotiate with and contact Israel and that if the Israelis want to do any thing they have to go to the Palestinian government.