Hamas Says Unity Govt Will Not Recognize Israel or Accept Two-State Solution

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum says a new Palestinian government will not recognize Israel or accept a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict. The comments could complicate efforts to form a Palestinian unity government. "We, as Hamas, we refuse to recognize Israel because the Israeli occupation has invaded our land and is all the time killing women and children," he said. "The Israeli occupation refuses to recognize our people as humanity, and our activities as Palestinians."

The Hamas refusal to recognize Israel, renounce terror and accept past agreements has led to a cutoff of international assistance to the Palestinian Authority, which Hamas has controlled since winning legislative elections earlier this year.