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Hamas Makes Its Demands

Leader Khaled Mashaal wants the Gaza blockade lifted

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 17, 2012 2:00 PM CST

(Newser) – With air strikes still smoldering in the Gaza Strip, Hamas made its demands for peace: no more targeted killings and no more blockade on Gaza, Ynet News reports. A Palestinian delegation led by Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal gave the demands today to Egyptian officials in Cairo, according to an Islamic Jihad-linked website. Hamas also asked Egypt to allow the passage of goods and people through the Rafah border. Meanwhile, a Hamas spokesman told reporters that more Arab officials will be visiting the Gaza Strip. (Egypt's prime minister visited yesterday.)

With Arab allies rallying around Hamas, the Cairo-based Arab League held an emergency meeting—in which officials criticized Israel but voiced support for Egypt's attempts to broker a "long-term" Israeli-Palestinian truce, the Jerusalem Post reports. The normally toothless league is also considering sending its chief to head a delegation to Gaza. Egypt's president, Mohamed Morsi, furthered today's diplomatic action by meeting with Turkey's prime minister and the ruling emir of Qatar, signaling their support for Hamas, the Washington Post reports.

Smoke rises during an explosion from an Israeli forces strike in Gaza City, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012.
Smoke rises during an explosion from an Israeli forces strike in Gaza City, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012.   (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)
Hamas chief in exile, Khaled Mashaal, addresses the 8th session of the Sudanese Islamic Movement conference in Khartoum, Thursday, Nov 15, 2012.
Hamas chief in exile, Khaled Mashaal, addresses the 8th session of the Sudanese Islamic Movement conference in Khartoum, Thursday, Nov 15, 2012.   (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
Khaled Mashaal, Hamas leader, center, attends his father's funeral at a Mosque in Amman, Jordan, in this Aug. 29, 2009 file photo.
Khaled Mashaal, Hamas leader, center, attends his father's funeral at a Mosque in Amman, Jordan, in this Aug. 29, 2009 file photo.   (AP Photo/Nader Daoud, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 62 comments
bewilderbeast
Nov 21, 2012 4:11 AM CST
All that's actually needed is for Obama, Cameron, Hollande, Merkel, Putin and a few other honourable leaders to say: Israel, you have no right to blockade Gaza. We will see to it that Gaza has free access to the world. Cue all the "You can't do that!" crowd. Now remind yourself that those SAME people said "You cannot allow majority rule in South Africa because WE ALL KNOW what will happen!!" Well, it didn't, and in Palestine's case, too, it wouldn't. All it needs is for honest leaders to demand fairness. Why don't they?
George-Jetson
Nov 18, 2012 9:05 PM CST
After sending 500 rockets indiscriminately into Israel, some of those from Egypt, they are going to list their demands? I say let Israel have their way with Hamas for a few weeks. They have to know that we aren't going to help them out & restrain Israel when they start shit. Send them kevlar.
HANKHILL
Nov 18, 2012 2:42 PM CST
HAMAZZZ IS ONE VERY SICK GROUP OF STONE COLD KILLER MOFO S AND SHOULD THEMSELVES BE KILLED!
 

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