Hamas warns of new US-sponsored scheme

Member of the Hamas political bureau, Salah al-Bardawil, warned on Monday of a plan to conclude a new agreement between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel under the sponsorship of the new US administration.

Bardawil said in an interview with al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper that by waging escalating steps against Hamas and procrastinating in achieving national reconciliation, the PA president Mahmoud Abbas attempts to clear the way for a new scheme in the region in collaboration with the US president Donald Trump.

Following the Fatah Revolutionary Council meeting in Ramallah, Abbas threatened to take “unprecedented steps” unless Hamas dissolves its administrative committee, enables the PA government led by Rami Hamdallah to practice its full authority in Gaza, including crossings and security, and agrees on holding presidential and legislative elections.

Hamas, for its part, has expressed many times its readiness to end the controversial issues through national dialogue and dissolve its administrative committee once the PA government pledges to assume its responsibilities toward the Gaza Strip.