Abbas rules out talks with Hamas, says Gaza heading to Catastrophe

Palestinian President speaks before international Conference of Donors, says time has come for both Palestinians, Israelis to comprehensively implement road map
Roni Sofer

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas spoke at the international Conference of Donors, taking place in Paris Monday, and called on Israeli to immediately cease all settlement activity in the West Bank.

"I will gladly implement all of the obligations put on the Palestinians within the road map and I expect the Israelis to do the same, comprehensively and without excuses," said Abbas, adding Israel should "stop all settlement construction immediately."

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Abbas further ruled out dialogue with Hamas and said that without international support Gaza is heading into disaster.

"I shall not accept dialogue (with Hamas), based on a fait accompli," Abbas said, referring to Hamas' repeated calls to resume talks on a national unity government.

Gaza, he added, is already "close to catastrophe," and would head into disaster without continued international aid.

Earlier Monday, the Conference of Donors pledged several billion dollars in aid funds aimed at stabilizing the Palestinian budget and future development projects.

AP contributed to this report