In the Occupied Territories, Hamas is denying accusations from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas it has allowed al-Qaeda-linked groups into the Gaza Strip. Abbas made the charge in an interview with Italian television on Monday.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: “Al-Qaeda entered (Gaza) through Hamas. Hamas protects and supports al-Qaeda. With this bloody behavior, Hamas is becoming very close to al-Qaeda.”

Abbas also said he would refuse to meet with Hamas officials until Hamas agreed to hand back control over the Gaza Strip. On Tuesday, dismissed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh rejected the al-Qaeda charge and urged Abbas to agree to talks.

Ismail Haniyeh: “Hamas has no links with al-Qaeda. Hamas’ policy and strategy are different. Hamas fights the Israeli occupation and only inside the Palestinian Occupied Territories, and has never operated outside these borders. We say that the only way to end this Palestinian situation is a dialogue, without conditions. I think that the president is in a hurry when being asked about dialogue with the Hamas movement.”