The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) denied Sunday Israeli reports about the resumption of talks with the Palestinian Authority for the purpose of halting attacks inside Israel and which have stopped after the recent Israeli raid on Gaza Strip. For his part the Palestinian Minister of Communications, Emad al Falouji confirmed that meetings among various factions have been going on suggesting the need for response on “Sharon’s crime.”
In a telephone interview with Albawaba.com, Hamas leader Mahmoud al Zahhar said, “meetings have not been resumed and we have not met with the PA officials except at the condolences ceremony, which was held in honor of the martyrs, but there was no discussion about the issue.”
Earlier the Israeli leftist opposition leader Yossi Sarid reported about the resumption of talks under the sponsorship of Saudi Arabia. He said that PA officials had informed him this information.
Meanwhile, Israeli reports said Mohammed Deif has been appointed new leader for Hamas military wing to succeed the late leader Salah Shehadah who was assassinated last week in Gaza. But Zahhar said these were only speculations and that the true news would be found in a statement to be issued by Hamas military wing. On Friday, Dr. Abdel Aziz al Rantisi, a Hamas leader told some 5,000 supporters a new military leader has been appointed but he did not disclose his name for security reasons.
For his part, Falouji confirmed to Albawaba.com that dialogue among the various parties has not and would not stop, indicating that such dialogue has recently been intensified in the aftermath of the Israeli raid on Gaza.
He said the contacts are not about “the martyrdom operations” alone but is more comprehensive with the aim of overcoming the current crisis with the least losses and the continuation of the Palestinian resistance until the occupation is ended.
The minister reiterated that the Palestinian Authority aims at ending the Israeli occupation through political and diplomatic efforts at the local, Arab and international levels in order not to give the Israeli premier Ariel Sharon any justification to continue attacking the Palestinian people. “This is very important in view of the fact that we belong to a defeated Arab nation which has no means of counter attack. The Palestinian blood is shed everyday and our children are killed in addition to suffering of one million and a half Palestinians from political and economic siege,” said Falouji.
He added, “The whole world is witnessing our circumstances and the oppression we face daily without doing anything. Therefore, the PA moves are putting this humiliating situation in consideration and tries to reach an agreement with the Palestinian factions to get out of this catastrophic situation with the least losses.” (Albawaba.com)
