Hamas Calls Return to Direct Peace Talks a ‘Disaster’

The Palestinian Authority leadership in Ramallah is a victim of delusion and does not realize that the agreement in principle to return to direct talks with Israel is a “disaster,” Hams terrorist organization spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told the Bethlehem-based Ma'an News Agency Saturday.

"Stopping political reconciliation for negotiations between the PA and Israel is very dangerous," he said. "For Hamas, reconciliation is a strategy that must be implemented instantly in light of the current Arab and global situation and US and European collusion with Israel."

He warend that returning to direct talks between Jerusalem and the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, led by the rival Fatah faction, would be a "grand prize" for Israel.

Hamas rules the Gaza region of the PA, and even if Israel and PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas were to reach any kind of agreement, it would be nearly impossible to carry out without the agreement of Hamas.