De facto government in Gaza denies communication with Israel

Date: 22 / 09 / 2007 Time: 10:44

Gaza – Ma'an –

The de facto Palestinian government in the Gaza Strip on Saturday denied news reports claiming that there was communication between the offices of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah and Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak.

The government described the reports as "false allegations by websites known for inventing stories."

Government spokesperson, Tahir Al-Nunu, described the reports as lies which support the media campaign against the de facto government and its leaders.

Al-Nunu said that media advisor of Haniyah, Ghazi Hamad, did not hold any direct or indirect consultations with any Israeli party.

Al-Nunu warned of "the attempts to distort the truth by concealing the futile meetings of Ramallah people [the West Bank caretaker government] with the Israeli occupation."

Media outlets must be precise in their news reports, said Al-Nunu, and avoid the propaganda against the de facto government.

In conclusion, Al-Nunu elucidated the Gaza government's position with regards to the ceasefire with the Israelis, he said it must be mutual, simultaneous and include the end of the siege on the Palestinian people.

Ma'an published an exclusive story on Friday alleging communication took place between Hamad and Israeli Deputy Defence Minister, Matan Falna'i, before Gaza was deemed an 'enemy entity' by Israel.

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