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Israel steps up tough talk
29/01/2006 20:29 - (SA)
Jerusalem - Israel stepped up its tough talk against Hamas on Sunday, ruling out contacts with a Palestinian government led by the militant group and threatening to "liquidate" militants if attacks on Israeli targets resume.
Israeli officials also threatened to withhold tens of millions of dollars promised to the Palestinians, saying they want to know more about Hamas's intentions before turning over the cash.
With the latest comments, Israel showed no signs of backing down from the hard line it has taken since Hamas won a surprising landslide victory in Palestinian legislative elections last week.
Hamas, which has killed hundreds of Israelis in suicide bomb attacks, is expected to lead the next Palestinian government, hurting the chances for a peace deal.
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, addressing the weekly meeting of his cabinet, said he'd been in touch with leaders around the world in recent days and had received support for the tough Israeli stance against Hamas.
Hamas refuses to disarm or recognise Israel, though it has hinted that it could reach a long-term truce or other accommodation with the Jewish state.
During the cabinet meeting, defence minster Shaul Mofaz said Hamas "is portraying policies of responsibility".
He said the group has even tried to restrain suicide attacks by the radical Islamic Jihad group.
But earlier, Mofaz said Israel is prepared to kill Hamas targets if the group resumes its attacks.
"Those who head terror organisations and continue to engage in terror against the state of Israel will be liquidated," he told Channel 2 TV on Saturday night.
Hamas' supreme leader, Khaled Mashaal, on Saturday said the group would not disarm, but suggested it could fold the thousands of fighters in its armed wing into a Palestinian army.
"We are ready to unify the weapons of Palestinian factions, with Palestinian consensus, and form an army like any independent state," he said, speaking from exile in Syria.
Israeli leaders condemned the plan, demanding an end to Hamas violence.
- AP
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