Gaza City – Hamas, Islamic Jihad Chiefs In First Public Appearance Since July 8

7

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Zahar (2nd R), appearing for the first time since the start of a seven-week conflict, holds hands during a rally by Palestinians celebrating what they said was a victory over Israel, following a ceasefire in Gaza City August 26, 2014. REUTERSGaza City – Several senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders appeared in public on Tuesday shortly after a Gaza truce took hold, the first time they had done so since the conflict began on July 8.

Join our WhatsApp group

Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


Among them was Mahmud al-Zahar, a senior member of the Hamas political wing, and senior Jihad official Mohammed al-Hindi who gave a rousing victory speech to thousands of people gathered in a square in Gaza City’s Rimal neighbourhood.

“We’re going to build our port and our airport, and if they attack the port, they attack the port. But anyone who attacks the airport will have their airport attacked again,” Zahar said.

He was referring to a two-day suspension of flights into Tel Aviv by major US and European airlines in mid-July after a rocket from Gaza struck near the runway, in a move hailed as a victory by Hamas.


Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


Connect with VINnews

Join our WhatsApp group


7 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
9 years ago

This is a fair settlement. Gaza must have some access to the outside world and EY was right to agree given the security protections. Its unfortunate that this is characterized as a “victory” for Hamas but I guess that is the reality of getting their demands met for a cease fire.

9 years ago

This is a shameful day in Israel’s history, those brave IDF SOLDIERS gave their lives for the hope of securing a safer life for Israelis and BiBi just gave a total victory to hammas and got nothing in return! For shame. The one demand he said he’d never give in on, hamas disarming, has not been agreed to, and Bibi caved anyway! He deserves to be ousted! We need a strong right wing leader who won’t cave to obama’s and UN pressure, and will only have Israeli security and safety in mind.

9 years ago

T0TALLY AGREE WITH NO. 3. TIME TO OUST NATANYAHU! BETTER YET ; IF HE FEELS HE CAN’T SOLVE THE ROCKET PROBLEM , THEN HE SHOULD RESIGN AND ALLOW SOMEONE OF THE RIGHT WHO IS MORE CAPABLE TO LEAD THE OPERATION. CEASEFIRES THAT DO NOT YIELD COMPLETE CESSATION OF ROCKET FIRE IS USELESS. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME AND INNOCENT ISRAELI CIVILIANS WILL BECOME “SITTING DUCKS” FOR CONTINUOUS HAMAS ROCKET FIRE!!! TIME FOR CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP FOR OTHERWISE THE DEATH OF ALL THOSE SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS HAS BEEN FOR NOTHING , AND ALL THOSE DEATHS AND ANY FUTURE ONES ARE ON NATANYAHUS HEAD…HE BEARS FULL RESPONSIBILITY!!!!

BarryLS1
BarryLS1
9 years ago

Then Arab definition of victory is that some of their leadership, who were hiding underground, survived. In reality, they got nothing. Israel just didn’t finish the job, because Netanyahu couldn’t withstand the pressure. Time for a tougher leader.

PaulinSaudi
PaulinSaudi
9 years ago

Truly, by any standard, Israel lost this fight. I am still awestruck that the IDF failed to have all those tunnels already mapped. Add to that the fact they did not know where the enemy leadership was. All in all, an intelligence failure.

9 years ago

Response to #1 . Are you normal?? Gaza must have access to outside world??? They will only use this as an opportunity to get more weapons!!!! The world will set up Abbas or some other pro-arab in charge of security at this airport!! Whats the point of security? To ensure no weapons etc. make it through. But at this airport it will be just the opposite!! Abbas or whoever it will be, will make sure to let them through!! Cause if its only Jews dying everybody wants that!! Israel lost big time in this war!! They didnt even accomplish what they went in for!! They cannot budge to pressure!!