[ 07/02/2009 - 02:48 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

A delegation of the Hamas Movement led by its prominent leader Dr. Mahmoud Al-Zahar left Gaza Strip on Saturday evening heading to Cairo to resume talks on calm with Israel in return for lifting the siege on the Strip.

MP Dr. Salah Al-Bardawil, the spokesmen of Hamas's parliamentary bloc, said in a statement to the PIC that achieving Palestinian people's interest was the main factor for reaching a calm agreement.

He added that the delegation comprising himself with Dr. Zahar along with Nizar Awadhallah would resume consultations and talks with Egyptian officials on means of reaching a calm agreement that would end the Israeli siege of Gaza and open crossings.

Bardawil hoped that a positive atmosphere would prevail over the talks, and added that Hamas was ready to sign a calm agreement immediately if it realized the people's interests.

Hamas delegates to meet in Cairo on Sunday

Saturday February 07, 2009 01:03 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Salah Al Baradweel, member of Hamas’ Change and Reform Parliamentarian Bloc, stated Friday that delegates of the movement will be heading back to Cairo on Sunday to receive answers delivered by Israel to the Egyptian leadership regarding a potential truce agreement.

In an interview with the al-Aqsa Radio, affiliated with Hamas, at the Rafah Border Terminal, Al Bardaweel said, as he was heading back home from Cairo on Thursday evening, that the talks are still ongoing in an attempt to reach a deal that secures lifting the Israeli siege on Gaza. He described the talks as tough, due to Israeli preconditions.

He stated that Israel wants to link the issue of the captured soldier, Gilad Shalit, with opening the border terminals, and that Israel insists on creating a “security line” along the northern and eastern borders of the Gaza Strip.

The Hamas official stated that Shalit and the borders are two different issues, and added that Hamas would never accept Israel’s “security border line” since it means that Israel would annex Palestinian lands in order to create this line, which will increase Palestinian economical hardships.

Referring to details on the truce deal, Al Bardaweel said that the current talks are on an 18-month truce, and that Israel offered opening 80% of the terminals, and the remaining 20% after implementing a prisoner-swap deal.

He added that Hamas wants further explanations, whether the 20% includes allowing basic materials such as cement and iron to Gaza. He said that Hamas wants clear answers and does not seek a “mysterious truce” that could be violated by the Israeli Army at any given moment.

The Hamas legislator slammed Egypt for mistreating Hamas delegates at the Rafah terminal after their returned to Gaza following talks with the Egyptian leadership.

Abu Marzouk: Hamas will not yield to the Israeli extortion regarding the calm

[ 07/02/2009 - 08:25 AM ]

CAIRO, (PIC)--

Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk, the deputy head of the Hamas political bureau, stated Friday that his Movement would never yield to the Israeli blackmail regarding the truce, highlighting that the release of the Israeli captive soldier Gilad Shalit must only be within a swap deal ensuring the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Dr. Abu Marzouk underlined that Israel insists on opening the crossings partially by 75 percent until the release of Shalit despite the Movement's rejection of linking between the calm issue and the prisoners' swap deal.

The Hamas leader pointed out that this intransigence and the unacceptable conditions Israel tried to impose made the Hamas delegation leave Cairo without giving a final answer regarding the truce, adding that the delegation handed the Egyptian side several questions regarding the Israeli proposals especially the 75 percent and would return later to receive the reply.

Abu Marzouk stressed that Israel cannot extort anything from the Movement through its threat to wage another war on the Gaza Strip or assassinate its leaders, adding that the Movement would cling to its positions until the Palestinian people get their rights

Regarding the presence of international observers at the crossings, he said that this proposal was tabled by the Egyptians and was approved by the Movement but was rejected by Israel.

"How the Palestinian people can live if the Zionists do not want to open the crossings and break the siege, and at the same time they destroy the tunnels and subject the people to a crippling blockade under and above the ground," the Hamas leader noted.

As for rumors about disagreement between Hamas leaders at home and abroad, Abu Marzouk said that the Movement takes its decisions in accordance with specific mechanisms and spreading such rumors is a waste of time.