Haniya urges Arabs to break Gaza siege

Hamas urges the Arab leaders to help break the ‘Israeli'-imposed blockade on the Gaza Strip and put their weight behind the Palestinian people.

In a televised speech from Gaza, Ismail Haniya told the Arab leaders participating in an Arab summit in Doha of Qatar that the time has come to end the siege after it claimed the lives of hundreds of patients, and paralyzed life in Gaza.

"You cannot wait anymore, our demand is that you implement what you vowed to do in previous Arab summits", Haniyya said, "In previous summits and meetings, you decided to break the siege, and to support the Palestinian people, now we demand you to act on your decisions".

The Hamas leader called on the Arab leaders to protect al-Quds (Jerusalem) as "'Israel' is demolishing Palestinian homes, is forcing the indigenous people out of their city".

"You must act to ensure the Right of Return of the Palestinian refugees", Haniya added, "You must support the Palestinian people and their legitimate demands".

He also urged the leaders to pave the ground for prosecuting ‘Israeli' echelons in international courts for the crimes they committed in Gaza, and demanded the Arab countries to cut their ties with ‘Israel'.

Referring to the Palestinian prisoners in the ‘Israeli' jails Haniya said that Arab leaders must take steps to secure the release of Palestinian detainees incarcerated in ‘Israeli' jails.

He also said that indirect talks for a prisoner swap deal are still ongoing, but added that the Palestinians will not bow to pressure, according to the International Middle East Media Center.

Regarding reconciliation talks between the Palestinian factions, the Hamas leader said that the talks are still in early stages, especially since some issues need further discussion

"We want unity, we want to rebuild our institutions." "We want reconciliation between all factions," he said adding that such a goal must be achieved without external pressures.