Meshaal: Hamas to uphold resistance

 

Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Meshaal underlined that the Palestinians would continue to target the Zionist interests with rockets until the Israeli occupation ends its onslaught in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

 

In an interview with Reuters, Meshaal said that the resistance is dealing with aggressive Zionist behavior.

 

"We are dealing with aggressive Zionist behavior. Let Israel stop its aggression and its occupation of Palestinian land and the resistance, including rockets, will stop", he said.

 

Meshaal said international pressure that forced the Zionist entity to resume fuel deliveries to a power plant in Gaza should continue until the blockade was removed.

 

"This immoral and inhumane siege has been going on for months. The Arabs must take responsibility as well and not leave the Palestinians alone," Meshaal said, referring to the repeated closures of a crossing to Egypt.

 

Asked about what Hamas critics call the futility of armed struggle against Israel, Meshaal said there was no other way to force the occupation to relinquish occupied land.

 

"A diplomatic effort without strong cards and Palestinian unity that does away with resistance lacks the basis for success," Meshaal said, referring to peace talks with Zionist regime led by Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas.

 

The talks were launched after the Annapolis meeting hosted by America in November.

 

"These talks are useless with Israel insisting on holding on to the big settlements, refusing to respect the 1967 line and the refugees' right of return," he said.

 

Meshaal again called on Abbas to accept unconditional talk with Hamas to solve differences between the two groups that have led to violence and two administrations in Gaza and the West Bank.

 

"It is time to turn the page on the peace talks and reach consensus on a new strategy that forces Israel to return Palestinian land," Meshaal said.

 

Palestinian groups opposed to the peace talks, including Hamas, holds a large meeting in Damascus on Wednesday.

 

Organizers said the conference, which will be also attended by a number of independent and national Palestinian figures, will issue a call for unity.

 

"We have no option but to hold on to national rights and sit on the table to solve the internal Palestinian crisis," he said.

 

Meanwhile, Mussa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, has urged the Palestinian Authority to put an end to talks with the Israeli occupation.

 

Marzouk cited Zionist atrocities in Gaza Strip and the West Bank and called on PA Chief Mahmud Abbas to stop negotiations.