(Worthy News) – A new round of Palestinian reconciliation talks experienced its first sign of trouble on Tuesday as the Hamas terror group said it would not give up its vast weapons arsenal, putting it at odds with both the rival Fatah movement and Israel.
The tough comments by Hamas’s leader, Ismail Haniyeh, provided a reminder of the long road that lies ahead after this week’s launch of talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement.
Abbas’s prime minister, Rami Hamdallah, is in Gaza, where he has received a warm welcome in what is by far the most ambitious attempt by the Palestinian rivals to end a 10-year rift. But Hamdallah’s visit is largely symbolic, and the negotiations on key sticking points, including the future of Hamas’ military force, only start next week in Egypt. [ Source: Times of Israel (Read More…) ]