Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has urged the Palestinian Authority (PA) to quit direct talks with Israel after Tel Aviv refused to extend a partial settlement freeze.

Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal said on Monday that acting PA Chief Mahmoud Abbas should keep his promise to end the talks.

"I call on my brothers at the Palestinian Authority — who had stated they would not pursue talks with the enemy, if it continued settlement construction — to keep their promise," Meshaal said.

"To negotiate without a position of strength is absurd," AFP quoted him as saying.

Abbas had earlier said that he would leave the US-sponsored negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if Tel Aviv does not extend its partial freeze on settlement construction in the occupied territories.

Tel Aviv on Monday refused to extend the partial 10-month moratorium on the settlement projects, which expired on Sunday.

In his latest remarks, Abbas said the PA would decide whether to continue the talks after a meeting of its own cabinet this week and talks with Arab governments on October 4.

Meshaal also called on the Palestinian factions to unite against Israel, saying it was a national necessity and the best way to react to the "Zionist intransigence."

(Press TV)