Forewarned. Mashaal
Photo: AP
Iran tells Hamas: Be ready for fresh Israeli attacks
Hamas Politburo Chief Khaled Mashaal meets with Iranian President Ahmadinejad, Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran; say 'the Islamic resistance should be prepared for any possible situation'
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told the Palestinian group Hamas to be prepared for possible fresh Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday.
A delegation from Hamas, headed by its leader Khaled Mashaal, arrived in Tehran on Sunday as part of a regional push to reinforce support for the Palestinian group after the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
Reasoning
Palestinian leader slams armed groups in Gaza for 'ending ceasefire due to interests and agendas that have nothing to do with the Palestinian people'
Hamas was in close contact with Iran, its main backer along with Syria, during the 22-day Israeli offensive against Gaza, which was halted last month, with the two sides declaring separate ceasefires.
Khamenei said the war in Gaza had yet to be finished, praising "the resistance of Gazans". "The Islamic resistance (Hamas) should be prepared for any possible situation, including a fresh war in Gaza," Khamenei told Mashaal, Fars reported. "The enemy's (Israel) psychological war ... Still goes on."
Israeli and US officials have accused Iran of providing weapons, cash and training to Hamas militants in Gaza. Iran insists it only gives moral and political support to Hamas.
Mashaal praised Iran for backing Hamas, Fars reported. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has a big share in our victory in the Gaza Strip," said Mashaal, who also met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki called for the immediate lifting of Israel's blockade of Gaza. "The Gaza blockade should be lifted and Gaza port and the crossings should be reopened for reconstruction," State television quoted Mottaki as saying during a joint news conference with Mashaal.
Hamas views the war as resulting in regional diplomatic gains for the group, with Turkey criticizing Israel and Qatar convening a high-profile meeting with the participation of Hamas that supported Hamas' objectives.
Mashaal visited Qatar last week. Five other Hamas politburo members are accompanying Mashaal on the visit to Tehran.
Hamas said it would intensify its post war diplomatic efforts to lift the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, imposed with the help of Egypt. The group has kept a line open with Cairo, which is mediating a deal for a more solid truce that tries to meet Israel's demands for stopping arms flows into Gaza and Hamas' demands for lifting the blockade.
