Hamas in Gaza: 'End Zionist project in Palestine'
By Associated Press
May 15, 2011 12:29 AM CDT
Israeli soldiers run past burning tires under a mural of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during clashes with Palestinian stone throwers following a protest to mark the upcoming 63rd anniversary of "Nakba", Arabic for "Catastrophe", the term used to mark the events leading to Israel's founding...   (Associated Press)

A Hamas leader has delivered a hard-line speech to thousands of Muslim worshippers commemorating the uprooting of Palestinians during the 1948 war over Israel's creation.

Ismail Haniyeh said Sunday that Palestinians mark the occasion this year "with great hope of bringing to an end the Zionist project in Palestine." He also affirmed the right to resist Israeli occupation.

Such language could prove embarrassing for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He recently reconciled with Hamas and is trying to market the Islamic militants as an acceptable political partner.

Marches commemorating the 1948 events are also planned in the Abbas-ruled West Bank. Israel has sealed the West Bank for a day and troops are on high alert.