'Hamas smuggling arms into W. Bank'

Abbas calls Hamas 'hypocrites' for their double standards.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
abbas pointing finger 311 ap (photo credit: AP [file])
abbas pointing finger 311 ap
(photo credit: AP [file])
Hamas is smuggling large amounts of weapons and explosives into the West Bank, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud said in an interview with the London-based Asharq Alawsat newspaper on Thursday.
In the interview, Abbas criticized Hamas, saying that "on one hand the organization punishes those responsible for launching rockets in Gaza, and on the other hand they are hoarding weapons."
Abbas did not specify quantities, but said that Palestinian forces find Hamas warehouses filled with weapons almost daily.
Abbas also attacked Palestinian leaders for super-charging the situation and promoting violence, and expressed his disapproval of war and armed resistance against Israel.
RELATED:'PA negotiating with US, not Israel'
Abbas: 'Many obstacles' for peace
Analysis: Proximity’s silver lining?
Abbas said in regards to the proximity talks that the PA will only be able to commit once the Arab League permits them to.
“There’s an Arab League position which, of course, is very important. On Saturday, the Palestinian leadership will hold a meeting and then we will inform George Mitchell that we are to launch the negotiations and discuss the final-status issues,” Abbas said.
The Arab League endorsed indirect talks for four months at a meeting it held in Cairo on Saturday.