The Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas) on Tuesday announced an suspension of talks with Palestinian parties in the parliament over the formation of a new cabinet in order to follow up an Israeli military raid on a West Bank prison which holds top militants.

Hamas spokesman in the parliament Salah al-Bardaweil told reporters that the meetings, originally scheduled to be held later in the day, were halted due to the Israeli prison raid.

"We have decided to suspend today's meetings to follow up the crime Israel is committing in the Jericho prison," al-Bardaweil said.

Earlier in the day, Israeli forces stormed Jericho's main prison, demanding the surrender of six Palestinian militants jailed there, including Ahmed Saadat, leader of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) .

Saadat, along the other five militants, was accused by Israel of being involved in the 2001 killing of an Israeli minister.

Earlier, Hamas premier-designate Ismail Haneya warned Israel against harming Saadat, calling on the international community to interfere and stop the Israeli operation.

Source: Xinhua