Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal
Photo: Reuters
Kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit
Photo: Noam Rotem
Mashaal blames Israel for deadlock on Shalit
Hamas leader says Israel is in contact with European mediators, but is failing to give 'substantial' answers to Hamas demands
Hamas's political leader Khaled Mashaal slammed Israel on Tuesday for impeding progress in negotiations for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
Speaking to Egyptian daily al-Ahram, Mashaal said: "Israel is rejecting the deal's principles. Although it is in contact with a number of European mediators, the result always lacks a substantial answer."
Gilad Shalit
Roee Nahmias
In al-Sharq al-Awsat interview, Palestinian president says he demanded group hand over kidnapped soldier in exchange for establishment of unity government. Hamas politburo chief: IDF's ongoing operations aimed at covering up failure in Lebanon
A Palestinian source spoke of the issue and said: "No Palestinian government will be set up so long a breakthrough on Shalit and the release of Hamas ministers and parliamentarians jailed in Israel is not made."
The source made the comments to al-Sharq al-Awsat newspapers.
Mashaal stressed that his party's decision to form a government was a necessary move in Hamas' development. The party learned from a short experience in government that the Palestinian Authority lacks sovereignty.
"If Hamas were to be satisfied with resistance and opposition, it would have relinquished responsibility. Hamas cannot look in the eyes of its people at this sensitive time as a party that doesn't take responsibility," he said.
Hizbullah, borthers in arms
He said Israel tried to compensate for its failure in Lebanon through launching a military offensive in northern Gaza.He added that there Hizbullah and Hamas have influence on one another: Although the two groups operate on different fronts, "we are partners in the resistance plan."
On another level he explained: "We are not calling on Arabs to enter an organized war today with Israel, but we call on them to take a bold initiative through which they impose on the American government and the international community the need to lift the economic boycott imposed on the Palestinian people."
Mashaal also spoke about the situation in the Palestinian Authority. "Violence is being exhibited at the moment for the lack of a national unity government … We need to organize anew the Palestinian home and to unite our forces against Israel's offensive deeds, and to be free to deal with the big issues, like the issue of Jerusalem, the refugees, and the boycott. It is time we move from the internal struggle to a serious national plan and a stance against the occupation."
