GAZA CITY, Gaza, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Hamas rejected on Thursday an appeal by Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, to renew a cease-fire with Israel, a report said.
"Hamas rejects the appeal (by Arafat) to resume the cease-fire as the Zionist occupation has torpedoed the truce with its assassinations of women, children and Palestinian political leaders," Hamas political leader, Abdelaziz al Rantissi told Albawaba.com.
Arafat said in a statement Wednesday a renewal of the truce would "give a chance to all peaceful international efforts for the implementation of the roadmap."
Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas broke off all contact with the Islamic groups in the wake of a recent suicide bombing attack in Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, the White House also criticized Arafat, describing him as an obstacle to peace and reiterated a U.S. position that Palestinian security forces must be consolidated under Abbas as a step to implementing the road map.
