Parliament members of Hamas in Gaza say unity deal, Mahmoud Abbas as both PA president and prime minister, violates Palestinian Basic Law • Abbas tells U.S. Middle East envoy David Hale: no contradiction between internal reconciliation, peace process.

Hamas members of the Palestinian parliament in Gaza on Thursday called for the recently signed reconciliation deal between Hamas' foreign-based leadership and Fatah to be canceled on grounds that it is unconstitutional, AFP has reported.

 “After examining the question of Mahmoud Abbas taking on the premiership as well as the presidency” and discussing the issue with legal experts, the move was found to be in violation of Palestinian Basic Law, a statement issued by 31 Hamas MPs said, according to AFP.

The statement pointed out that Basic Law calls for the separation of the positions of prime minister and president. Fatah denies that any laws were violated.