WORLD> Middle East
Hamas: Ceasefire not reflects retreat from fighting and resistance
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-14 17:08

GAZA -- A Hamas official on Monday said the ceasefire between the Islamic movement and Israel doesn't reflect his movement's retreat from fighting against Israel.

This file photo shows that Hamas movement leader Khaled Meshaal leaves the presidential palace in Sanaa July 13, 2008 after talks with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. [Agencies]
The Egyptian-brokered ceasefire, took effect in Gaza on June 19, "was not a stepping back from the line of Jihad and resistance," according to Said Siam, interior minister of the deposed Hamas government.

"Hamas is the group that hurts the Zionist enemy most and it is the side most capable of managing the conflict with the enemy by the resistance or during the calm," Siam added.

"Hamas moved to the lull after it found that this became a public mood for the Palestinians, especially the Gazans who are suffering from the siege, starvation and ongoing killings," Siam continued.

Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza Strip in June 2007 when Hamas took over the territory by force. It also increased its military attacks into the coastal Strip.

The ceasefire succeeded to restore a sort of calmness and Israel started to gradually lift the sanctions. But Hamas says it is unsatisfied because the goods that Israel allows into Gaza after the ceasefire are still reduced and insufficient.

However, Siam says the ceasefire "was a victory for Hamas because it took effect according to Hamas' conditions, not according to the occupation's demands."