Hamas: We continue to work to retain Palestinians’ dignity

Hamas is working with Egypt to solve the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip “in a way that retains the Gazans’ dignity” and puts an end to the Israeli 12-year blockade, the movement’s head said in a statement today.

“The movement endeavours to alleviate the plight of Gaza through Egyptian-brokered serious understandings with the Israeli occupation that include: adhering to a ceasefire, stopping the Israeli aggression on Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid to enter the Strip, conducting development and reconstruction projects, opening the crossing borders, expanding the fishing area, launching limited-duration employment projects for graduates and youth, handling the grave long-term problem of water and electricity, and others,” Ismail Haniyeh added.

In addition to Egypt, Hamas is in contact with Qatar and the UN, he explained, due to their “crucial role to alleviate the Israeli siege on Gaza”.

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The talks also take into consideration the plight of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli jails and “the occupation’s latest crackdown on them”, Haniyeh continued. In addition to the situation in Jerusalem and the issue of Bab Al-Rahma.

Closed to Muslims by occupation forces since 2003, the Al-Rahma Gate was reopened by Palestinians at the end of February, with Muslims holding prayers there. Israel has threatened to close the area once again with a court ruling that the area should be closed. This is in spite of the fact that the area falls under the jurisdiction of the Jordanian Ministry of Endowment, which has condemned Israel’s repeated violations of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem.

Haniyeh concluded his message saying: “The movement will not hesitate to take any action that serves the interests of the Palestinian people and ensures that the Palestinian sacrifices at the Great Return March have not been made in vain.”