Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) faced Tuesday, January 18, a crucial test of his new leadership after major resistance factions rejected his call for a ceasefire with the Israeli occupation army, vowing to fight on. "The resistance is not the exclusive of anyone but remains as a strategic choice of all Palestinian factions and the Palestinians," Hamas Spokesman Mushir Al-Masri told IslamOnline.net. He said Abbas has given in to the "Zionist dictations and his call to a ceasefire is undermining the praiseworthy resistance." Masri said the mortar attacks on the Israeli settlements and the Negev village of Sderot have paid off. Abbas, who is due to hold talks with leaders of the resistance factions Wednesday, January 20, has come under swift and varied pressure since his election last week. Israel has refused to talk to Abbas him until he reins in the "militants" with Hawkish Prime Minister Ariel Sharon threatening military action if he does not do so within two to three weeks. Abbas ordered his security forces on Monday, January 17, to prevent anti-Israeli attacks. Sharon's spokesman called this "a small step in the right direction."