Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Sunday the participation of his Hamas movement in a unity government hinged on winning guarantees Western economic sanctions would end once a new cabinet was in place. "We need documentation and we need a greater assurance. We need to feel that they will be committed to lifting the siege in return for this big step," Haniyeh told reporters in Gaza.
"We are not going only for a photo opportunity. We want to lay the basis for real national unity, for a real political partnership," Haniyeh said, according to Reuters. "Therefore, the United States, the Europeans and our brothers the Arabs must shoulder their full responsibility to end the siege of the Palestinian people," he said.
Haniyeh added Hamas and Fatah were involved in "deep and continuing dialogue" and that more time was needed before a unity government of technocrats could be formed.
Additionally, he voiced disappointment that a promise a week ago by Arab foreign ministers to break a Western ban on bank transfers to the Palestinian Authority had not been implemented. "We appreciated the decision and we regarded it as a distinctive step to end the siege, but it was not translated on ground," Haniyeh said. "The Arabs backtracked in the face of American might."
On the ground, an Israeli military aircraft attacked a vehicle in which two Hamas members were travelling in Gaza City on Sunday afternoon, injuring at least five Palestinians, witnesses and medical workers said.
According to witnesses, the attack took place near a mosque at Gaza City's Zeitoun neighbourhood as worshippers were leaving prayers. Hamas said two of its fighters were in the car but escaped unharmed. Medical workers said the men were wounded, along with three passersby -- two children and an elderly man.
