Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has not changed his feathers, using the ceasefire reached with Israel to continue to taunt Israel’s. The Gaza leader announced that despite Israeli demands of a demilitarized Gaza, he will not agree to such a reality even though his refusal may halt the international community’s plan to rehabilitate Gaza.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu explained the rehabilitation of Gaza following Operation Protective Edge must be linked to the international community stepping forward to ensure Gaza is demilitarized.

In a message to Gazans televised in Gaza, Haniyeh said “The weapons of resistance are holy and represent a red line. Hamas and other resistance movements will never lay down their arms for as long as the occupation continues. Even if this comes at the expense of not rehabilitating Gaza, we will never relinquish out weapons. Our weapons of resistance are legal until we succeed in liberating all the lands of Palestine”.

Haniyeh was critical of the role played by the United States and the European community during the ceasefire talks that were held in Cairo. “Their position is not acceptable to us. European officials want to advance direct talks with Israel. We will not agree to this”. Haniyeh also denied the accuracy of statements made by senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk in Cairo that he agreed to direct talks with Israel. He stated he never agreed and this will not occur. “Hamas will never enter into direct negotiations with Israel” he concluded.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)