Mideast peace talks ‘essentially buried’ if Hamas-Fatah deal stands

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Thursday that a new agreement between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah is “killing peace,” even as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry voiced hope that talks could be salvaged.

 

The Israeli leader spoke with Fox News shortly after the Israeli government cut off Mideast peace talks. The Israelis halted negotiations over the announcement that terror group Hamas and Fatah would seek reconciliation.

 

In an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, Netanyahu stated that peace talks are “essentially buried” if Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas forges ahead with the agreement.

 

“It’s a blow to Israel; it’s a blow to peace,” he said. “It’s a terrible blow to the Palestinian people, because they must choose, too, whether they want to go forward or go backward. Yesterday, with the pact with Hamas, the Palestinian people went, took a huge step backward, away from…

 

Read More: Netanyahu: Mideast peace talks ‘essentially buried’ if Hamas-Fatah deal stands | Fox News.