Hamas: Reconciliation starts with lifting PA sanctions on Gaza

Deputy Hamas leader in Gaza Khalil Al-Hayya said that the reconciliation efforts with rival faction Fatah can only begin after the latter lifts sanctions imposed on Gaza, Al-Resalah newspaper reported yesterday.

In an interview with the paper, he said that that sanctions imposed by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which is headed by Fatah, “represent a humanitarian and national crime”.

He also said that the agreement on holding a National Council that includes all the Palestinian parties in order to implement the terms of all previous deals that included carrying out general parliamentary and presidential elections is another condition to achieve a reconciliation.

Al-Hayya called for Fatah to review its view about the reconciliation and to understand Hamas’ position regarding it. “Fatah must recognise that it mistook reading Hamas’ position and it must meet the national demands that include lifting the sanctions imposed on Gaza,” he said.

Read: Why is Israel ignoring the West Bank protests to lift Gaza sanctions?

In April, Fatah suspended the reconciliation after the convoy of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah was targeted in Gaza. It accused Hamas of orchestrating the attack.

Prisoner swap

Al-Hayya said that the Israeli occupation leadership is spreading fake news regarding the progress of a prisoner swap deal.

He noted that the “enemy is aware about Hamas’ demands for a prisoner swap,” noting that his movement is “ready for a real one”.

Al-Hayya called for the Israeli occupation leaders to stop telling lies to the families of the Israeli soldiers captured by the Palestinian resistance in Gaza.

Read: Banning West Bank protests violates law, freedoms says Hamas