Mahmoud al-Zahar
Photo: AP
Mahmoud Abbas
Photo: AP
Al-Zahar threatens to prosecute Abbas
In wake of Egypt's effort to strike truce between rival Palestinian factions, Hamas hardliner warns his group adamant on vindication from Palestinian president's claims that Hamas leaders went into hiding during Gaza war
Senior Hamas member Mahmoud al-Zahar declared Wednesday that despite the impending truce between the Islamist group and Fatah, Hamas still wants to prosecute Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
"A day will come when Abu Mazen will have to answer for his smear campaign against us and his actions in the (Gaza) war in a special court," he said, referencing Abbas' claims that Hamas' leadership chose to go into hiding during the Israeli offensive in Gaza, while leaving Palestinian civilians in harm's way.
Progress
Ali Waked
Sources in Egypt say Hamas also plans to sign accord postponed in aftermath of Goldstone report. Hamas spokesperson: We won't be pressured into signing
Meanwhile, Egypt is making a last-ditch effort to convince Hamas to sing the truce with Fatah.
Cairo has gone to great lengths to try and convince Hamas reconciliation is in its best interest. Egyptian official ventured that despite the group's voiced reservations, it will eventually sign the treat.
Egyptian sources told Ynet the a senior Hamas official was holding last-minute meeting with Arab officials in the Persian Gulf and unless something dramatic happens in the 11th hour, Hamas will agree to the truce, despite its attempt to "squeeze the most" out of the Goldstone Report controversy in Palestinian public opinion.
Fatah officials said that should Hamas decide to back out of the deal, the movement would insist Abbas call for a general election.
