Hamas Urges "Israel" to Reopen Crossings
Source: alalam.ir, 20-06-2008
GAZA--Hamas leader in Gaza Strip Ismail Haniyeh on Friday urged the Zionist regime to ease its blockade and reopen the Gaza crossings, stressing that the success of the ceasefire is dependent on the ‘Israeli' side.
"We can say that today, we are on the brink of a new era. According to this ceasefire, the siege must be lifted, the crossings reopened and the aggression against our Palestinian people must be stopped," Haniyeh said at a sermon following Friday prayers in Gaza.
However, in a reflection of the widespread skepticism surrounding the deal, he stressed that the success of the ceasefire "is dependent on the ‘Israeli' side and their commitment" to the deal.
Hamas officials said earlier that the group was committed to the agreement and would not violate the calm, unless ‘Israel' launches fresh attacks on the strip.
However ‘Israel' said the truce must include movement in the case of an ‘Israeli' soldier captured by Gaza fighters two years ago.
Haniyeh blamed ‘Israel' for delaying progress in reaching a prisoner swap deal to release Sergeant Gilad Shalit.
"The truce has its own obligations, lifting the siege, stopping of aggression, and opening of crossings. Shalit has other obligations, the release of prisoners that are imprisoned inside enemy ‘Israeli' prisons. This has no relation with the other," Haniyeh said.
The ceasefire, which Egypt labored for months to conclude, aims to bring an end to a year of fighting that has killed more than 400 Palestinians - many of them civilians.
The majority of people on both sides of the border appeared to support the ceasefire despite widespread skepticism about whether it will last.
For now, many Gazans chose to take advantage of the period of calm - which officially began at 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Thursday - by enjoying the day with their families at Gaza Beach.
If the calm holds, ‘Israel' is expected to ease the blockade on Sunday to allow larger shipments of some supplies.
A week later ‘Israel' is to further ease restrictions at cargo crossings, which in recent months have been closed to all but humanitarian aid and limited fuel supplies.
GAZA--Hamas leader in Gaza Strip Ismail Haniyeh on Friday urged the Zionist regime to ease its blockade and reopen the Gaza crossings, stressing that the success of the ceasefire is dependent on the ‘Israeli' side.
"We can say that today, we are on the brink of a new era. According to this ceasefire, the siege must be lifted, the crossings reopened and the aggression against our Palestinian people must be stopped," Haniyeh said at a sermon following Friday prayers in Gaza.
However, in a reflection of the widespread skepticism surrounding the deal, he stressed that the success of the ceasefire "is dependent on the ‘Israeli' side and their commitment" to the deal.
Hamas officials said earlier that the group was committed to the agreement and would not violate the calm, unless ‘Israel' launches fresh attacks on the strip.
However ‘Israel' said the truce must include movement in the case of an ‘Israeli' soldier captured by Gaza fighters two years ago.
Haniyeh blamed ‘Israel' for delaying progress in reaching a prisoner swap deal to release Sergeant Gilad Shalit.
"The truce has its own obligations, lifting the siege, stopping of aggression, and opening of crossings. Shalit has other obligations, the release of prisoners that are imprisoned inside enemy ‘Israeli' prisons. This has no relation with the other," Haniyeh said.
The ceasefire, which Egypt labored for months to conclude, aims to bring an end to a year of fighting that has killed more than 400 Palestinians - many of them civilians.
The majority of people on both sides of the border appeared to support the ceasefire despite widespread skepticism about whether it will last.
For now, many Gazans chose to take advantage of the period of calm - which officially began at 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Thursday - by enjoying the day with their families at Gaza Beach.
If the calm holds, ‘Israel' is expected to ease the blockade on Sunday to allow larger shipments of some supplies.
A week later ‘Israel' is to further ease restrictions at cargo crossings, which in recent months have been closed to all but humanitarian aid and limited fuel supplies.
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