The political bureau member of Hamas, Khalil al-Hayya, expressed on Monday Palestinians’ disappointment over the suspension of local elections, saying international parties have marred the national electoral wedding.
Speaking during the Eid Khutba (sermon) in central Gaza Strip, al-Hayya said: “We, the Palestinians, wish we could have completed national elections as a creative initiative to boost national unity in the face of the Israeli colonization and foreign interventions.” “National elections should not be a reason to deepen the rift,” the Hamas leader stated.
Commenting on the prisoners’ cause, al-Hayya said the Palestinian resistance has tried every possible effort to release detainees from Israeli jails. He hailed the determination maintained by hunger-strikers Muhammad and Mahmoud al-Baloul, along with Malek al-Qadi, who have been starving in Israeli lock-ups in protest at their arbitrary detention.
“We should prop up anti-occupation activism,” al-Hayya further stated. “Israel is holding sway over our lands, desecrating our holy al-Aqsa Mosque, demolishing our homes, killing our women and children, and violating our rights.” “Anti-occupation struggle is the nation’s common denominator,” al-Hayya noted.
He urged Egypt to disclose the fate of the four members of the Qassam Brigades, saying: “They did not meddle in Egypt’s security. They just wanted to cross the Egyptian borders to pursue their studies.”
