According to CNN:
JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Former President Jimmy Carter said Monday that Hamas is prepared to accept peace with Israel if the Palestinians approve any agreement negotiated with Israel.
CNN
In Haaretz:
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said on Monday that Hamas is prepared to accept the right of Israel to "live in peace" within 1967 borders. He also said the Islamist group would willing to accept a peace deal initiated by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas if it were favored in a national referendum.
"There's no doubt that both the Arab world and the Palestinians, including Hamas, will accept Israel's right to live in peace within the 1967 borders."
Haaretz
So, Hamas is saying they will support a deal brokered by Olmert and Abbas, if it is approved by a referendum of Palestinians. Here's a nasty catch-Hamas would require that Palestinians in exile participate in the referendum.
In Haaretz again:
A Hamas official in the Gaza Strip also referred to a series of preconditions raised by the Islamist group for assenting to a deal with Israel.
Sami Abu Zuhri said Palestinian refugees living in exile must be included in the voting - a condition that could complicate approval of a deal.
Abu Zuhri also noted that Hamas, which refuses to recognize Israel, would regard any future Palestinian state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, territories Israel captured in the 1967 Six Day War, as "transitional".
The US State Department has been critical of Carter's mission, citing the clear US policy of isolating Hamas, and declining any direct negotiations.
On the Syria front, it has been reported that Olmert and Assad are negotiating through intermediaries and are close to reaching a deal.
Hamas could frustrate a peace deal, if they choose to do so. A recent poll shows that Haniyeh(Hamas) is more popular thatn Abbas, but support for both parties is decreasing. There is a growing frustration in the ability of either party to improve conditions in the West Bank and Gaza.
So, in essence, Hamas has taken a position that allows for their non-participation in peace negotiations.
So, what position would you want your candidate to take, if asked, on this development?