Hamas: Recognising Israel not on agenda

A senior Hamas official today said recognising Israel and negotiations with the Jewish state were “not on our agenda” after the group apparently won a decisive victory in legislative elections.

“Negotiations with Israel is not on our agenda,” said Mushir al-Masri, who won election in his home district in the northern Gaza Strip. “Recognising Israel is not on the agenda either.”

With the Hamas victory evident, The Palestinian cabinet resigned en masse today. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who remains in office, is expected to ask Hamas to form a new government.

“This victory proves that the path of Hamas is the right way. We will not fool our people,” al-Masri said.