Prime Minister of the Hamas led government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyya, met on Tuesday with the Prince of Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad al-Thani, and discussed the latest developments in Palestine. Hamas government spokesperson, Taher al-Nunu, stated that Haniyya and Hamad discussed several issues, mainly the role of Qatar and the Arab League in countering the Israeli violations, and the efforts to break the illegal Israeli siege on Gaza.
They also discussed the efforts to rebuild Gaza, as most of its infrastructure is still devastated after the three-week offensive that started on December 27 2008, when Israel bombarded most of Gaza’s infrastructure and civilian areas. The assault resulted in the death of at least 1,419 Palestinians, the majority of whom were civilians, including infants, children, and the elderly. Ten Israeli soldiers were killed, several of whom due to friendly-fire.
Haniyya and al-Thani also held talks on the Arab Spring, its effects in the region, and the means to protect occupied Jerusalem and its holy sites from the ongoing Israeli violations.
They stated that Jerusalem must be discussed on the Arab and International levels, especially amidst the escalating Israeli settlement activities, the demolition of Arab homes, and the escalating attacks carried out by extremist settlers against the Palestinians, their lands and property, and their holy sites.
Furthermore al-Nunu said that Haniyya and al-Thani discussed the efforts aimed at achieving full reconciliation between the Fateh and Hamas movements.
On his part, al-Thani said that his country supports the Palestinian cause and steadfastness, and that the Arab Spring will have positive effects in supporting the Palestinian Struggle.
Haniyya is currently visiting Qatar, and also intends to visit a number of Arab and Islamic capitals in the region; this is his second tour in the last two months.
Haniyya is currently visiting Qatar, and also intends to visit a number of Arab and Islamic capitals in the region; this is his second tour in the last two months.
