Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal Gaza – Mohammed Habib Hamas is yet to receive an official request from the President of the Palestinian Authority to visit the Gaza Strip, Hamas said on Tuesday. The movement in control of Gaza described the United Nations General Assembly’s vote to give Palestine the status of non-member observer state as “a symbolic step,” and the Islamist group reiterated its desire for “genuine unity based on the strengths provided by the resistance.”
Hamas’ senior official Salah Bardawil via a press statement stressed the concerns of his movement about the seriousness of the continuing Israeli violations targeting unarmed civilians. He also revealed to the press on Tuesday that the movement\'s chief leader, Khaled Meshaal is set to give reconciliation efforts a push forward in a speech which will be delivered during the movement\'s 25th anniversary celebrations in the Gaza Strip next Saturday. Many Arab and Islamic personalities will also be present for the celebrations, known as “Intilaqa 25”.
Meshaal\'s speech, according to Bardawil, will refer to two important points, namely building the Palestinian institution on the basis of partnership and democracy as well as constructing the Palestinian national programme in accordance with shared values that do not detract from the rights of the people.
“If these two conditions are realised,” Bardawil said, “they would form a solid foundation for the terms of the national reconciliation.”
Referring to the UN status upgrade as a “symbolic step,” Bardawil said a great deal of communication will take place in order to achieve reconciliation with help from Egypt.
“The movement is monitoring the threat of Israel’s continued breaches of the truce and its targeting of unarmed civilians.”
The Hamas official said Meshaal\'s speech “will be historic,” adding that the chief’s arrival into Gaza on the anniversary of Hamas’ launch “indicates new developments and achievements that bear important implications in light of the changes taking place in the region.”
Hamas leader Mushir al-Masri said Tuesday in a television interview that Abbas’ visit “must take place in an official way and by invitation from the Authority to Hamas.”
“There is no coordination with the Ramallah Authority about Abu Mazen’s visit,” he added, expressing hope that it would come upon the heels of “a genuine and serious reconciliation.”
The Hamas official urged to “work together on a unified strategy and take steps to prove the viability and credibility of the reconciliation, so that the visit does not become mere protocol.”
He also reaffirmed that the reconciliation is a priority for Hamas and that it is “reaching out a hand” to a “genuine unity based on the strengths provided by the resistance.”
Al-Masri placed the UN status upgrade as a “second-grade political victory, compared with the military battle in Gaza,” stressing that “rights are not taken through United Nations resolutions.” The Hamas official said his movement had only accepted Abbas’ UN bid “under the condition that it not relinquish the rights of the Palestinian people.”
He added that the Palestinian people now have a stronger belief in resistance, adding “should a referendum on the resistance project be conducted in the West Bank, it would be approved by a landslide.”
Touching on the subject of the pardoning of Fatah members, the Hamas official said the subject was conditioned upon “Hamas’ legal vision,” demanding that the Palestinian Authority take a “positive position” by releasing political prisoners and “ending security coordination” with Israel.
“We await similar measures from Ramallah,” he said.
Palestinian businessman Munib al-Masri said in a statement to the press that Abbas had invited all Palestinian forces and factions, including Hamas as well as independent figures, to attend a prospective meeting to be held on Tuesday evening in Ramallah. The meeting aims to take advantage of the “very positive” and “unrepeatable” climate in order to find practical and radical solutions to problems that have been blocking the implementation of the reconciliation agreements signed by Fatah and Hamas.
The businessman said the issue of political prisoners will be resolved completely within the next few days as the factions and political forces involves are set to reach an understanding based on the upcoming meetings.