PALESTINE WOULD CEASEFIRE IF ISRAEL LIFTED BLOCKADES

Former Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. Photo: MINA

Gaza, 17 Ramadhan 1435/15 Juli 2014 (MINA) – Former Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh declared that a ceasefire would happen if Israel lifted up the blockade on Gaza Strip.

“We say clearly, the problem is not on ceasefire and return to the original agreement, the problem is the fact and the reality surrounding the Gaza blockade, starvation, and the closure of the borders, the suffering and pain caused by the blockade and the suffocating political,” said Haniya in a statement broadcasted by Aqsa TV on Monday (14/7) night local time, as MINA correspondent reported.

Haniyeh added that the long-term blockade must stopped immediately, so that the people of Gaza can live like a human being living in other parts of the world.

“The blockade should be stopped and our people can live free and honorable as the people in other parts of the world,” he stressed out.

On the day, Egypt has proposed a ceasefire to end a week of cross-border fire between the Israel and Gaza Strip.

“Israel would accept the offer on Tuesday (15/7) morning if Hamas agrees,” Israeli media reports as quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he is willing to intensify the country’s military campaign against the Islamic militant group Hamas in Gaza Strip after a proposed cease-fire aimed at ending the week-long conflict approved by Israel’s Security Cabinet, but rejected by Hamas few minutes later.

“If Hamas rejects the Egyptian proposal and the rocket fire from Gaza does not cease, we are prepared to continue and intensify our operation,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum stated that the ceasefire will not be agreed if Israel doesn’t meet the Palestinian demands to lift the ‘unexcusable’ blockade.

Meanwhile, Hamas military wing resistance movement, Al Qassam Brigades issued a statement that its party would not trust Israeli pomise.

“Accepting the ceasefire would only show weakness, then we are firmly and clearly reject the initiative after long occupation,” the statement said.(L/P03/P04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)