Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, the former Gaza Prime Minister, is reported pleased with ongoing efforts to reach agreement for a one-year ceasefire with Israel. Speaking on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, Ismail on Tuesday said “We are on the way of ending the blockade on Gaza. This is the result of your position and steadfastness. There will be no political price for any humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.”

Haniyeh said that the Egyptian-brokered negotiations are in advanced stages and that the internal Palestinian problem is also being discussed. “We will establish a unity government and a national unity council, and then we will hold general elections with the participation of all the Palestinians,” he added.

Haniyeh ridiculed American President Donald Trump and said: “Today, on our holiday, we announce that the deal of the century failed because the Palestinian people rejected it, and the marches brought the Palestinian issue back to center stage and revived the right of return.”

Haniyeh took advantage of the stage and called on Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to immediately stop security coordination with Israel.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)