Report: Abbas informed of Israel's plan to retake Gaza
Al-Quds Al-Arabi quotes Palestinian sources as saying that Abbas called for
renewed talks with Hamas in effort to thwart Jerusalem's plan to launch
broad military operation in Strip, gradually transfer control over to
Palestinian Authority
Ynet Published: 06.07.08, 18:29 / Israel News
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3552955,00.html

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas decided to call for a 'national and
comprehensive dialogue' with Hamas after being informed of Israel's plan to
launch a wide-scale military operation in Gaza and recapture the coastal
enclave, according to a report published Saturday by the London-based
Arabic-language newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi.

The newspaper quoted Palestinian sources as saying that Israel plans to
gradually transfer control over the Strip to the Palestinian Authority,
adding that Abbas expressed his objection to the move during last week's
meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and demanded that Jerusalem take a
positive stance toward Egypt's efforts to broker a ceasefire agreement
between Israel and Hamas.

According to the sources, Abbas warned Olmert of the possible ramifications
should Israel decide to take over Gaza and is attempting to thwart an
Israeli invasion by resuming talks with Hamas.

The report said Israel is looking to re-conquer Gaza, annihilate the
Palestinian resistance groups, mainly Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and then
gradually transfer control over the Strip to Abbas. However, the newspaper
said, the Palestinian president is wary of regaining control in Gaza
following an Israeli operation.

Mousa Abu Marzouk, the deputy head of Hamas' political bureau, told Al-Quds
Al-Arabi that Abbas had no other choice but to resume negotiations with the
Islamist group "after realizing that all of his other options, such as the
attempt to isolate Hamas and participate in the blockade on Gaza, had
failed".

Senegalese state media reported on Saturday that President Abdoulaye Wade
has begun talks with representatives of Hamas and Fatah, hoping to establish
common ground in the Palestinian factions' approach to Israel.