Abbas denounces violence

cctv.com 01-15-2005 17:11

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has broken off all contact with Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas. His chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, has spoken out against the move, saying the best way forward is to resume talks. The latest tension comes before Abbas is sworn in, within the next hour, as chairman of the Palestinian National Authority.

Palestinian armed groups killed six Israelis on Friday in a bombing and shooting attack at the main commercial crossing into Gaza. And late on Thursday, Israeli troops killed three gunmen during an exchange of fire at the Karni border terminal between Israel and Gaza.

Abbs said: "These attacks and what Israel did last week by killing nine Palestinians does not benefit peace. "

Abbas is urging a cease-fire after four years of bloodshed. He is pushing for a resumption of talks with Israel to forge peace and Palestinian statehood. Palestinian Authority Spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeineh echoed his call.

He said: "What happened in Gaza today proved again that we are in need of an immediate mutual cease-fire. There should be an immediate coming back to the negotiating table."

Meanwhile, three Palestinian groups have jointly claimed responsibility for the Karni attack, including Hamas' "Al Qassam Brigades", Fatah's "Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades", and the "Popular Resistance Committees". This, as it is reported that Abbas was negotiating with the Palestinian armed group Hamas about a new cease-fire, and that the two sides were close to a deal. Hamas hopes to secure a sizable role for itself in the Gaza Strip after Abbas takes office and before an expected Israeli pullout in October. The leader of Hamas in Gaza pledged on Friday to press ahead with its resistance against Israel. Mushir Al-Masri said it was the right of Palestinians to rise up against Israel and to continue their resistance.

Mushir Al-Masri said: "We think the resistance is connected to the occupation. As long as there is occupation on our land and there is an army killing us, the resistance will be our right."

Meanwhile, thousands of supporters waved flags and chanted as they made their way down the streets of Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. The armed groups pledged to continue their struggle as long as their land is under "occupation".

Editor:Xiang Jing  Source:CCTV.com