Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar said Friday that Hamas had not ruled out the option of kidnapping more Israeli soldiers to attain the release of Palestinian security prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Addressing a rally of Hamas supporters in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, al-Zahar demanded Israel release Palestinian prisoners in return for the release of captive Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit.
“Kidnapping soldiers is still an option, to assure the liberations of Palestinian prisoners,” he said.
Moreover, al-Zahar called Israel was “an abscess” on the Middle East and said Hamas would never recognize the Zionist nation.
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Al-Zahar’s comments join a series of remarks against Israel made recently by Hamas leaders. About one month ago, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh made a speech to
demonstrators in Gaza in which he declared that he did not intend to accept the conditions set by the Quartet to recognize Israel, accept previous agreements and disarm.
Hamas’ refusal to recognize Israel in effect brought about thefailure of negotiations to
establish a unity government between Fatah and Hamas. Fatah members asserted that Hamas must understand that the conditions set by the international community require the group to chance its tactics. Fatah blamed Hamas’ belligerent comments on Israel for torpedoing efforts towards a unity government.
In light of the tense situation in the PA, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met in Ramallah with members of the Central Election Committee. Abbas discussed the possibility of early elections with
the committee.
In the past few days Hamas members have continued to threaten that if Abbas dismantles the parliament, negating the results of democratic elections, would be considered a coup against the government.
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