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Hamas, Islamic Jihad warns Israel from rejecting deal of calm

GAZA, May 24 (KUNA) -- Two Palestinian factions Saturday warned Israel against aborting ongoing Egyptian-brokered negotiations to reach a period of calm in Gaza Strip, and said Israel should not carry out any military action in the strip.
Hamas and the Islamic Jihad warned against negative consequences if Israel refused the period of calm.
Abu Obaida, a spokesman of Hamas military wing, Izzuddin Al-Qassam brigades, said if negotiations to reach a period of calm between the Palestinian factions and Israel failed, then the "options of the brigades will be open to retaliate against the Israelis." He said in a statement that Izzuddin Al-Qassam brigades were ready to attack the Israelis if they deliberately aborted negotiations.
Meanwhile, Abu Hamza, a spokesman of Al-Quds brigades, the military arm of Islamic Jihad, said Israel was placing unacceptable conditions for the period of calm.
If Israel aborts efforts to reach calm, resistance will be the sole method against the Israeli occupation, he told reporters in Gaza.
Israel is trying to impose pressure on the Palestinian resistance through daily crimes committed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, he said.
Israel wants Hamas to pledge to stop smuggling of arms into Gaza, release the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and stop rocket firing in order to approve the period of calm. (end) zt.bs KUNA 242016 May 08NNNN