Hamas called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) Thursday to end peace talks with Israel, claiming the talks constitute a surrender to the dictates of the American government, which Hamas claims provides cover for the "Judaization" of holy sites.
Hamas' statement went on to criticize the security arrangements between the PA and Israel as well, calling on the PA to immediately end both the talks and security arrangements. The statement added that "the Palestinian people will not agree to a concession on any rights to the land."
PA negotiators threatened Wednesday to pull out of the peace talks, citing increased building in Judea and Samaria as a primary reason.
The negotiators' reported frustration over building comes despite Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's call to cancel building orders Tuesday on 24,000 new homes in the region, the same evening tenders on 20,000 homes were announced, in acquiescence to PA and American pressure.
There were reports last week indicating that the US intends to force a peace agreement on Israel and the PA if the talks fail.
The Hamas announcement, timed to commemorate a year since the IDF Pillar of Defense counter-terror operation in Gaza, further emphasized that armed struggle is the strategic path to "free the land."
Hamas has turned up its rhetoric lately, saying Thursday that it's prepared for the next battle with Israel. On the same day, clashes broke out in Gaza, as terrorists opened rocket and mortar fire on Israel and the IAF took out two missile launchers in an airstrike.