Israel reiterated on Thursday that the new Palestinian government must recognize Israel, honor former agreements and renounce violence.

"Israel expects a new Palestinian government to respect and accept all three of the international community principles - recognition of Israel, acceptance of all former agreements and renunciation of all terror and violence," said Miri Eisin, a spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister's office.

Eisin's comments, quoted by Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth' Web site, were made after leaders of Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas signed a deal on a unity government in Mecca of Saudi Arabia.

The deal was expected to put an end to the conflict in Gaza which pit militants from Hamas and Fatah against one another and has claimed some 60 lives since Jan. 25.

Hamas, calling for the destruction of Israel, took the rein of the Palestinian government last March after defeating the long-dominant Fatah led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the legislative elections.

However, the Hamas-led government has largely been isolated by the international community due to its refusal to renounce violence, recognize Israel and respect previous peace accords, the three demands put forward by the Mideast Quartet of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia.

Abbas had insisted that a national unity government that ends the imposed embargo should be formed. Otherwise, he would call for early presidential and legislative elections, a threat which triggered the wave of infighting between Fatah and Hamas.

Source: Xinhua