Friday, 26 December 2008
Gaza – Ma'an – Hamas leader Isma'il Haniyeh, who serves as prime minister of the de facto government in Gaza, affirmed on Thursday the importance of keeping the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as one geographical and administrative unit.
He added that no one will accept attempts to separate Gaza from the West Bank, or allow Egypt to administer Gaza or Jordan to rule the West Bank. "This is a fixed stance in our policy," he stressed.
In a press statement, Haniyeh noted that breaking the Israeli-imposed siege on the Strip is essential to allow Gazans to live with dignity. "In our opinion, our Egyptian neighbors must make it a priority to end the oppression afflicting Gaza and its residents, and work together with us towards this goal," he stated.
On the on other hand, Haniyeh welcomed the possibility of renewed Egyptian efforts for Palestinian national dialogue, and voiced his hopes that all sides will work to create an atmosphere conducive to the dialogue's success. He stressed the importance of strengthening the internal front and restoring national unity so that Palestinians can confront Israel's plans to deny the Palestinian people their rights.
Finally, Haniyeh denounced the Israeli trial and sentencing of Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member Ahmad Sa'adat, secretary general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), stressing that the military court which tried Sa'adat is illegitimate.
