Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal (L) and PA President Mahmoud Abbas. Photo: Jewish Policy Center.

JNS.org – On Wednesday, a delegation representing Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at reconciliation talks with Hamas in Gaza indicated that a major breakthrough had been achieved. Spokesmen on both sides indicated that a Palestinian unity government would be established within five weeks, and that parliamentary elections would be held within months.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Abbas must choose whether he wants peace with the terrorist group Hamas or peace with Israel.

“I hope he chooses peace [with Israel]; so far he hasn’t done so,” Netanyahu said, according to Israel Hayom.

The prime minister added that, “Every time we get to that point [of peace negotiations with the Palestinians], Abu Mazen (Abbas) stacks on additional conditions which he knows that Israel cannot give. So instead of moving into peace with Israel, he’s moving into peace with Hamas.”