Palestinian factions will never accept Gaza siege, body says

The Palestinian National and Islamic Forces said yesterday that they would not accept the continued imposition of the Israeli siege on Gaza, Quds Press reported.

Speaking at a press conference, Islamic Jihad leader Khalid Al-Batch said: “The siege and closure of crossings are no longer acceptable. Therefore, we call on the mediators to end this siege and push for the entry of construction materials into Gaza.”

He stressed: “If the efforts of the mediators fail, the only choice which people can take is resistance against the occupier in order to achieve dignity and freedom.”

Al-Batch stated that the consequences of the Israeli siege and closure impacted every aspect of life, including industry, hospitals, the battle against COVID-19, and others.

Sending a clear message to the occupation, he said: “Whatever you could not take during the Sword of Jerusalem battle, you will never take through blackmail, siege, and the closure of crossings.”

He reiterated: “We will not accept that the people whose homes were destroyed be punished twice; first when their homes were destroyed and second when they were deprived of rebuilding their homes.”

Since Israeli launched its latest offensive on Gaza on 10 May, it stopped the entry of hundreds of basic materials into the Strip, mainly construction materials including cement, gravel, and steel.

Israel has imposed a strict air, sea, and ground siege on Gaza since 2007, when Hamas, which won free elections in 2006, took over control of the enclave.

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