Palestinian developments in 2013 (3)

The third quarter of the 2013 appears to be the most critical period for Palestinians. Ouster of Muhammad Mursi's government and the Muslim Brotherhood party as the parent of the Hamas movement compounded with stiffening political differences in the Palestinian Authority on the other hand brought tough times for Palestinians.

Some analysts say Hamas committed a strategic mistake by putting all its political apples in the basket of partisan affiliations and cut ties with its longstanding allies, Damascus, Tehran and Hezbollah. The movement also made another mistake by miscalculating the conditions of the Syrian government.
Mursi's ouster left its negative impact on Gaza and led to a wave of provocation against the movement in the Egyptian media. Let's review top developments of the third quarter of 2013.

July:
- Palestinian government in Gaza appointed Ihab al-Ghussain as its official spokesman in place of Taher al-Nunu.

- Egyptian defense minister in a statement ousted Muhammad Mursi from presidency, leading to a mixture of euphoria and unrest in the country.

- Palestinian Human Rights center in a statement warned about the deteriorating conditions of people living in the besieged Gaza. The Egyptian army staged a massive tunnel destruction campaign on Egypt's borders with Gaza following Mursi;s ouster. The tunnels actually served as a lifeline for the besieged people.

August:
- The Zionist regime approved an austere budget after facing a deficit of over 21 billion dollars. The budget stipulated a cut in the funds of various ministries as well as a rise in taxes.

- Millions of people across Iran and overseas staged a World Quds Day rallies. The annual march was also marked in Gaza.

- Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei said in an Eid al-Fitr holiday speech that like its previous rounds, a new round of talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel would bear no more outcome than pummeling the rights of the Palestinian people while emboldening the Israeli aggressors.

September:
- Israeli army prevents a group of European diplomats from visiting the occupied Palestine. The army also seized the diplomat's truckload of humanitarian aid that was destined for Palestinian families who were rendered homeless due to Israeli hoe demolition campaign.

- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Israel to follow the international law by summoning those Israeli soldiers that violate Palestinian rights. Ban also said in a UN human rights session that the Zionist regime must end its siege of Gaza and provide free passage to Palestinians under the Oslo accord.

- Longest operating pro-Palestinian activist in Iran, Sheikh Mostafa Rahnama passed away due to chronic diseases. He was 88. In a condolence statement, Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei said the devout Alim maintained untiring efforts in support of the Palestinian issue from when he was young until he became elderly. Ayatollah Khamenei said the veteran activist's records would always be remembered. President Hassan Rowhani regretted his demise.