Hamas accepts referendum

Gaza: Palestinian factions, including governing Hamas, have accepted President Mahmoud Abbas' referendum on a manifesto that recognises Israel, officials said on Tuesday.

However, Hamas insisted it was sticking to its "agenda of resistance" against Israel.

"The document included a clear clause referring to the non-recognition of the legitimacy of [Israel]," said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.

Only the Islamic Jihad skipped the agreement, which comes a day after Israel warned Palestinian militants of massive military retaliation over the abduction of an Israeli soldier.

Rawhi Fattouh, a senior aide to Abbas, said Hamas Prime Minister Esmail Haniyeh would formally announce the deal later in the day.

Officials said Abbas and Haniyeh agreed on a platform based on the manifesto, accepting a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The phrasing also noted that moves toward statehood, including peace initiatives with Israel, must serve Palestinian interests.