The top Hamas terrorist in the Gaza Strip signaled Monday that the Islamic terror group will not agree to an unconditional cease-fire with Israel, saying that the aim of the current battle is to break a 7-year-old blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Ismail Haniyeh’s comments came as U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry headed to Cairo for the highest-level cease-fire efforts since Israel-Hamas fighting erupted July 8.
More than 540 Palestinians and 20 Israelis have been killed in the past two weeks of fighting.
Last week, Egypt called for an unconditional cease-fire, to be followed by talks on easing the closure of Gaza. Israel accepted the proposal at the time, but Hamas rejected it, saying it wants guarantees first on lifting the closure.
The blockade was imposed by Israel and Egypt after Hamas overran Gaza in 2007. Over the past year, Egypt has further tightened restrictions, driving Hamas into a deep financial crisis.
Haniyeh said in a televised speech Monday that “we cannot go back, we cannot go back to the silent death” of the blockade.
He said all of Gaza’s 1.7 million residents shared this demand.
“Gaza has decided to end the blockade by its blood and by its courage,” he said. “This siege, this unjust siege, must be lifted.”
(AP)
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5 Responses
Do you mean to say that they lift the blockade will be no more weapons smuggling? You mean to say that all this talk about annihilating Israel is just a smokescreen and as soon as they get what they want. Attacking the Jews why didn’t you say that to begin
That’s a joke since the blockade is only of military supplies. The Iraelis might counteroffer that in return for ending the blockade, Gaza will be disarmed and policed by a neutral third party (who agrees in indemnify Israel for any and all terrorist attacks launched against Israel) — which of course would be unacceptable to the Palestinians.
I wish he would come out of hiding and show his ugly head – so Israel could blow it off.
Stupid idiot do you honestly think for a second that your dream will come true Wake up thicko the world hates you
Comment from #1, takingabreak, you’re right on!
And let this coward come out of his hiding snake hole and lead his people! He can’t and won’t because the people of Gaza will kill him for all the deaths and destruction he caused!