Quartet envoy and former U.K. premier Tony Blair on Tuesday called on Palestinian group Hamas to choose between violence and political engagement.
"The only way forward will be when Hamas understands that the only proper choice to make if you want peace is to engage solely in peaceful means to achieve political ends," Blair said following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Israeli government accuses Hamas of abducting three Jewish settlers who went missing from the West Bank's Gush Etzion settlement last Thursday – a claim the Palestinian group categorically denies.
In recent days, Israeli forces have arrested scores of Palestinians – including several Hamas lawmakers – in connection with the settlers' disappearance.
No Palestinian group has claimed responsibility for the alleged kidnapping.
Speaking on behalf of the international community, Blair condemned the alleged abduction of the three settlers.
He went on to express his "deepest sympathy to their families at this moment who must be going through a great deal of agony and grief."
Netanyahu, for his part, said the alleged abduction of the three settlers "shows the true face of Hamas."
"The international community has to condemn Hamas for its terrorist activities… and also must call on President Abbas to end his pact with Hamas," he added.
Earlier Tuesday, Israel's security cabinet vowed to ratchet up military pressure on Hamas and make conditions worse for Hamas-affiliated detainees languishing in Israeli prisons.
Some 5200 Palestinians – including 191 in so-called "administrative detention" – continue to languish in Israeli jails, according to estimates by the Palestinian Prisoners' Society.
By Turgut Alp Boyraz
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
