GAZA, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said during Friday prayers in Gaza his Hamas party will dismantle its government if international aid resumes.
The New York Times reported the prime minister said he would step down so a unity government "more acceptable" to aid donors could take over. Haniyeh told worshippers, "Let us end the siege and let us end the suffering of the Palestinian people."
Haniyeh's decision was an admission Hamas could not run the Palestinian Authority "on its own terms," the Times said, and that a new government was already forming behind the scenes.
The newspaper said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is negotiating with "technocrats" to create the new government.
Hamas did not accept three conditions established by the international community as preconditions to the resumption of aid. Hamas officials refused to recognize Israel's right to exist, did not stop violence or support Palestinian-Israeli plans for a two-state solution.
The United States and Israel had stopped funds and aid. Even with donations from Arab supporters, Hamas could not meet expenses or pay salaries to employees. The Times said it is still not clear whether a new government will meet the conditions.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told the Jerusalem Post Friday that any new government must meet the three conditions for aid to resume.
