GAZA CITY Ñ The Palestinian Authority said it had
failed to persuade Hamas to agree to a limited ceasefire in the
war against Israel.
PA officials said Hamas balked at a halt in suicide bombings
against targets in Israel. They said Hamas was not tempted by an offer to
join a national unity government and obtain major Cabinet portfolios.
The framework included the establishment of a Palestinian state in the
West Bank, Gaza Strip and eastern Jerusalem, Middle East Newsline reported. PA officials said Hamas
rejected those terms and held to their position that the Palestinians must struggle for all of
the territory that is now Israel.
PA International Cooperation Minister Nabil Shaath said PA negotiations
with Hamas have not produced a breakthrough. Shaath said the two sides had
been discussing an agreement for guidelines of a national unity government.
PA officials said Hamas and the Islamic Jihad also objected to a
proposal that Palestinians limit their attacks to Israeli targets in the
West Bank and Gaza Strip. The draft did not outline Palestinian strategy in
the insurgency war against Israel.
For their part, Hamas leaders denied that talks with the PA have
collapsed. PA Communications Minister Imad Falouji, aligned with Hamas, said
relations between Palestinian factions have improve and expressed optimism
that a national reconciliation plan will be approved.
On Sunday, Israel and the PA approved the "Gaza, Bethlehem First" plan.
Israeli officials said Israeli troops would begin withdrawing from sections
of Bethlehem on Monday night as part of an effort to ease restrictions on
the civilian population.
