The Times of Israel reports: The head of the Shin Bet security agency has warned cabinet ministers that excluding the Palestinian Authority from a long-term ceasefire deal between Israel and the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip will send a message that terrorism is rewarded, Israeli television reported Thursday.
According to the Hadashot TV news report, Nadav Argaman also told members of the security cabinet that a truce that ignores PA President Mahmoud Abbas would strengthen Hamas in the West Bank, where the internationally recognized PA is based.
“Pushing aside [Abbas] from the process [of reaching an] agreement will strengthen Hamas in the West Bank and prove terror pays,” Argaman was quoted as saying. “Such a move would also weaken the moderates and prove to Palestinians that only the path of violence achieves results.”
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