Palestinians ready for peace negotiations

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday evening that the Palestinian Authority would continue to push for peace negotiations, even though Israel has not commited. This came during a meeting between Abbas and the envoy of the Quartet for the Peace Process in the Middle East, at the Palestinian Authority headquarters in Ramallah. Abbas stressed that Palestine will recommence peace negotiations if Israel commits to international guidelines and to the principle of the two-state solution along the 1967 lines. He insists that Israel must stop developing settlements in the West Bank. During the meeting, the latest developments in the peace process were discussed, including Palestine’s UN statehood bid. Meanwhile, at dawn on Wednesday, a large number of Israeli Army forces stormed into Nablus, north of the West Bank, and moved towards the tomb of Joseph. Eyewitnesses said that said that more than 25 Israeli military forces stormed Oman Street, between the camps of Askar and Balata. Witnesses said the Israeli incursion precipiated the entrance of dozens of settlers into Joseph's Tomb for prayers.