Hamas Welcomes Palestinian Leader’s Reconciliation Initiative

President Mahmoud Abbas meets Hamas leaders Khaled Mashaal and Ismail Haniyeh (C) in Doha,Qatar October 27,2016.

Gaza, MINA – The Palestinian Resistance Movement (Hamas) Saturday welcomed a recent call by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to put an end to Palestinian divisions and re-launch national reconciliation.

“Under such critical circumstances which Al-Aqsa and other Islamic holy sites as well as overall national issues are facing, we extend our hand to Fatah and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and all our brothers and national partners, including all national, Islamic and independent factions,” KUNA reported, citing Hamas in a statement.

The movement added that it is now imperative to unify ranks and end all divisions and splits, and to set out an urgent national strategy to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque in face of Israeli occupation.

It noted that reconciliatory efforts would surely lead to supporting and backing Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupying authorities, and to defending Palestinian holy sites.

Furthermore, Hamas called on Arab leaders and people to move immediately to stand side by side with the Palestinian people and to prevent Israeli plans to control Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Earlier on Friday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he would suspend all contacts with Israel due to new security measures at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque.

He also urged Hamas to support the national unity government and accept national elections in order to face Israeli occupation. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)