GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP):
HAMAS WRAPPED UP coalition talks yesterday after failing to reach agreement with other parties and said it would form a government by itself, a move likely to deepen the international isolation of the Palestinian Authority.
Also yesterday, Palestinian gunmen killed an Israeli soldier during a shoot-out at the militant's hideout, as opinion polls showed that an earlier Israeli raid at a West Bank prison boosted support for acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert less than two weeks before elections.
Hamas said it planned to present its Cabinet to the Palestinian parliament for approval on Monday. However, it first needs approval from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is to meet with Hamas leaders on the weekend. Abbas is expected to ask Hamas to rework its government programme, an official close to Abbas said on condition of anonymity, because he is not authorised to reveal the content of the negotiations.
