Because of Israeli ______ on Hamas leaders, other cabinet members were sworn in

Hamas cabinet members put their hands on a copy of the Muslim holy book, the Koran, and swore to be loyal to the "homeland and its holy places", as they took the oath of office. Of the 24 cabinet members, 14 have served time in Israeli jails. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas presided over the ceremony in the Gaza Strip where Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar, and other leading mem bers of the cabinet reside.Because of Israeli travel restrictions on Hamas leaders, other cabinet members were sworn in by a video link from the West Bank city of Ramallah. At a news conference, following the swearing-in ceremony,Prime Minister Haniyeh pledged to support any peace initiatives that President Abbas pursues as the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Haniyeh says Hamas will support any negotiations that President Abbas undertakes to ease tensions in the region and that his government will study any peace initiatives that follow what he describes as "Palestinian principles".