Hamas warns of new uprising

GAZA, May 1 (UPI) -- A top leader of Syria-based Hamas has reportedly warned that there could be a new violent uprising if the Islamic militant group's Palestinian rule collapses.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Moussa Abu Marzouk, second in command in Hamas, was quoted as saying the United States is making a strategic mistake in isolating the Hamas-led Palestinian government.

The Times reported that, in a rare reference to a possible collapse of the Hamas-led government, Marzouk said it would mean a return to the pre-1993 Oslo peace accords that created the Palestinian Authority, and let Israel once again assume responsibilities as an occupying power.

"We will try everything we can to make the government successful and serve the people but if we're unable to do it, we'll go back to before," he said, adding it could lead to an intifada "even more violent than in the past" and the collapse of the Palestinian Authority itself.

Since Hamas won the elections in January, international donors, including the European Union, have cut off direct aid until Hamas recognizes Israel, renounces violence and abides by previous PA agreements.