Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas's unexpected call on Wednesday for talks with the rival Hamas terrorist faction might be stop PA-Israeli negotiations in their tracks, the International Herald Tribune reported. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert previously has threatened to stop talking with Abbas if sits down with Hamas to rebuild the political bridge that was destroyed when Hamas staged a military takeover in Gaza a year ago.

Abbas said Wednesday evening that if talks with Hamas are successful, he would call for new legislative and presidential elections. Hamas welcomed the overture.