Palestinian Authority, Hamas discuss deal

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas have discussed recent unity deal during a phone conversation.

It was the first dialog following the announcement of the new reconciliation deal reached between the resistance movement of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

Haniyeh highlighted the importance of properly implementing the agreement and improving mutual trust.

The Hamas leader also called for a political and financial safety net to protect the deal.

Haniyeh also called on the Palestinian Authority chief not to bow to “external pressure” over the deal.

On April 23, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, pledged to end differences and form a unity government.

Under the long-awaited deal, the rival Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah are to form a unity government within five weeks and hold national elections six months later.

The Israeli regime has reacted by canceling the so-called peace talks with the Palestinian Authority and threatening sanctions against it.

In a Thursday interview with Fox News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the unity deal as a “blow to Israel” and said the pact is “killing” the talks between Tel Aviv and the Palestinian Authority.

Abbas has said the deal does not contradict the negotiations the Palestinian Authority is pursuing with Israel.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat has also said that the deal is an internal affair and the Israeli regime has no right to interfere in the issue.

The Palestinian Authority will look into “all options” in response to Tel Aviv’s decision for sanctions, Erekat stated.