Several Israeli ministers Tuesday lashed out at Washington over its decision to work with the new Palestinian unity government which is backed by the Islamist movement Hamas.

US-led peace talks collapsed in late April after the Palestinians announced a surprise unity deal between leaders in the West Bank and the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, with Israel saying it would not negotiate with any government backed by the Islamists.

The government was sworn in on Monday in front of president Mahmud Abbas, with Washington publicly offering its backing several hours later.

To add to the embarrassment, Netanyahu told the security cabinet on Sunday that Kerry had promised Israel that Washington would not immediately recognise the new government, Haaretz reported, quoting two ministers present at the meeting.

Responding to the US announcement late on Monday, an Israeli government source said Washington's actions were playing into the hands of Abbas.

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