Hamas claims that peace talks with Israel aimed at liquidating Palestinian cause

In a statement Tuesday, The Jerusalem Post reported that Hamas representatives reinterated their opposition to the peace talks with Israel, claiming that the talks were aimed at "liquidating" the Palestinian cause.Hamas official Salah Bardaweel reportedly stated that Palestinians will not accept any agreement that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signs with Israel, and criticized Abbas for telling The New York Times earlier this week that he would agree to the establishment of a demilitarized state. "Such statements are a preface for liquidating the Palestinian cause and preventing the right of return for Palestinian refugees," Bardaweel said. "The biggest disaster would be to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. This would pave the way for the expulsion of more Palestinians from their historic land."Senior Hamas official, Wasfi Qabaha, also criticized Abbas for saying that he would agree to the deployment of US-led NATO troops in the future Palestinian state. "Such a move would mean capitulation to Zionist-American pressure and extortion," Qabaha said. "The presence of foreign troops in a Palestinian state would harm its independence and sovereignty. This would be a new Israeli occupation under a different label and shape."In addition, a senior Islamic Jihad official threatened that his group would foil any agreement between the Palestine Authority and Israel. French newspaper Le Figaro quoted Ahmed al-Mudalal as saying that his group is completely opposed to the peace talks and would destroy any agreement that "legalizes Zionist occupation in Palestine."In related news, Hamas and Islamic Jihad accused the PA security forces of arresting 10 of their supporters in the West Bank in the past 48 hours.