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Netanyahu Claims Palestinian Threat to Air Traffic

18 October 2010 19:15 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Likud Party members Monday that Palestinian militants have obtained anti-aircraft missiles that threaten Israeli planes and airport traffic, APA reports quoting â€œThe Voice of Americaâ€.

Mr. Netanyahu says Hamasâ€™ possession of the weapons in the Gaza Strip heightens Israelâ€™s needs for security guarantees if peace talks are to resume. He told party members that the Israeli air force tries not to fly near Gaza because of the missile threat.

Mr. Netanyahu repeated his calls for Palestinians to recognize Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people before talks resume. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas repeated his demand Sunday that Israel renew its moratorium on Jewish settlement building in occupied territory in order for talks to proceed.

Hamas said Monday one of its lawmakers is being held by Israeli soldiers. Hathem Qufishe was detained in an early morning raid on his home in the West Bank. Israelâ€™s military had no comment.

Qufishe has been arrested by Israeli forces several times, including in 2006 following the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Israel said Sunday it had resumed indirect talks with Hamas in an effort to secure Shalitâ€™s release.

Meanwhile, the stalled peace process has caused Israeli President Shimon Peres to cancel a trip to Morocco.

Mr. Peres had planned to attend a World Economic Forum meeting in Marrakech later this month and also meet with Moroccoâ€™s King Mohammed.