Gaza – Ma’an – Senior Hamas leader in Gaza Mahmoud A-Zahar said Saturday that any political stages concerning the question of Palestine must include the movement or “there is no agreement.”

All talks and agreements made with Israel must include the Islamist movement, A-Zahar said following a meeting with a South African delegation at the office of de facto Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.

“Hamas has given a full explanation on its stance on reconciliation and its desire to achieve it. It is paramount that the siege be lifted, the crossings opened and that elections be held with its outcome accepted by all,” A-Zahar told reporters following the meeting.

The senior Hamas leader said the South African visit was “evidence of the country’s support for the Palestinian issue.”

“There are good relations between the Gaza government and South Africa.
These relations are developing and growing, reaching to lift the siege and gaining legitimate national rights,” A-Zahar said.

The South African delegation, headed by the country’s deputy foreign minister, visited the As-Samouni area in eastern Gaza City on Saturday which was most hit by Israel during Operation Cast Lead between December 2008 and January 2009.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)