JERUSALEM, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday his talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "have gained momentum" since Abbas dissolved the Hamas-led unity government following the Islamic movement' takeover of the Gaza Strip.

    Olmert made the remarks during a meeting of Knesset, or parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, local media Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

    "Israel saw an opportunity to deepen its ties with the moderate Palestinian forces following the disbandment of the Palestinian unity government," Olmert was quoted as saying.

    The prime minister emphasized that Israel should identify Abbas and current Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayad as a partner in the peace process.

    However, opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu, at the Knesset committee meeting, rejected the Olmert statements, saying any agreement between Olmert and Abbas would lead to Hamas taking over the West Bank.

    Olmert asserted that Israel saw the collapse of the Hamas-led government as an opportunity to strengthen ties with moderate Palestinian elements and give them a footing to attract popular opinion in the Palestinian street.

    He also mentioned that there would definitely be a large-scale Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank.

    Regarding the upcoming summit in Washington, in which Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is due to meet with Abbas, Olmert said that it would not be a "peace conference", but rather an "international meeting meant to garner international support for the peace process with the Palestinians".

    Olmert stressed that to date there was no draft agreement with the Palestinians, adding he would present it to the cabinet for approval if there was an agreement.