Al-Ahbar reported that in the last two days there have been contacts between the terrorist organization and Israel through the mediators. • "Hamas wants to stop Jewish programs in Jerusalem" • Abu Mazen:
Iron Dome in action
Photo:
Reuters
"Jerusalem is our capital forever."
Abu Mazen
Photo:
AFP
Hamas operatives in the Gaza Strip
Photo:
Reuters
Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen said last night (Monday) that he would not agree to hold elections to the Palestinian parliament if Israel did not allow East Jerusalem residents to vote.
"We will not agree to hold elections without Jerusalem and without its candidates because it is our capital forever. We call on the international community to press Israel to abide by the agreements," the PA chairman said.
Meanwhile, indirect contacts led by senior Egyptian intelligence officials, as well as UN diplomats, continue in an attempt to reduce tensions between Israel and Hamas and halt the escalation following the violent events in Jerusalem and rocket launches from Gaza to the enveloping communities over the weekend.
The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar learned from its Hamas sources that contacts between the terrorist organization and Israel had taken place in the past two days through the mediators.
However, Hamas has rejected any lull as long as Israel's policy in Jerusalem continues, and is interested in "preventing any settler invasion of the al-Aqsa Mosque, and halting Jewish programs in the city and allowing Palestinian elections in the eastern part of the capital."
According to the sources, Hamas warned in its message to Egypt that the continuation of Israel's policy "will lead to an explosion in various areas, especially in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, even if it worsens the situation in the Gaza Strip and things develop into a major conflict."
Cairo and Jordan also warned against the failure of mediation efforts to calm the area. A senior Egyptian official involved in the mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas told Israel Today that "Hamas is convinced that Israel and Abu Mazen are joining hands in canceling the elections in the West Bank in light of Hamas' strengthening and the split in Fatah."