Hamas: Israel must lift Gaza siege

Hamas said yesterday that Israel has no choice but to lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip since 2007.

In a press release, Hamas spokesman Abdul-Latif Al-Qanou said: “The protests of the Great March of Return are continuous, using all means that put pressure on the Zionist occupation until it meets the demands of the Palestinians – lifting the siege.”

Discussing the 50th Friday of the Great March – which was named “The Friday of the Palestinian Woman”, he said: “This participation of Palestinian women side by side with the Palestinian men in the protests proves that they are peaceful.”

He added: “The Palestinian woman has been and is still a partner in the Palestinian resistance against the occupier. There are Palestinian martyrs, prisoners and wounded and this is to continue until we liberate our land and achieve victory.”

Israeli forces yesterday killed a 22-year-old protester, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said, and wounded 22 others. This brings the number of deaths since the protests began on 30 March to more than 250, with over 25,000 wounded.

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