Israel halts peace talks after Palestinian unity deal

Israel has broken off Middle East peace talks and brought the US-brokered process to the brink of collapse.

The move came in protest at a reconciliation agreement between the Western-backed Palestinian Authority and the militant group Hamas, the Jewish state’s sworn enemy.

Israel’s Security Cabinet made the decision during a marathon emergency meeting convened to discuss the new Palestinian deal. The rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah announced the reconciliation plan on Wednesday, meant to end a seven-year rift.