Islam Times - Abu Marzouk - Hamas may have to negotiate with Israel

Islam Times - In reports published in several media Abu Marzouq, Deputy Head of the Hamas allegedly said his group may be forced to negotiate directly with Israel.

He was quoted as saying that Hamas may not be able to ignore the demands of the Gaza street.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, Hamas refuted earlier media reports over the readiness of the Islamist movement to get involved in direct negotiations with Israel.

"Direct negotiation with the Zionist enemy is not part of the movement's policy, and it is not even under consideration," the statement said.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of Hamas' politburo, had said that Hamas was ready to negotiate directly with Tel Aviv.

"We can deal with the Israeli enemy with words as we do with weapons,"

"Hamas might find itself made to do so because negotiations with the occupier [Israel] have become a request of all the people in the Gaza Strip; even the Palestinian Authority is burdened with the demands of the Palestinians."

Abu Marzouk asserted that Hamas was "so far" against implementing such a scenario, but added that "others have to be aware that it is not totally forbidden."