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Comments:  47
Last update - 01:03 13/01/2009
Haniyeh: Hamas is willing to negotiate on Gaza cease-fire
By Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent and Reuters
Tags: hamas, IDF, Israel news, Gaza

For the second time since Israel launched its offensive in the Gaza Strip, Hamas television aired a taped message delivered by group leader Ismail Haniyeh on Monday. In the message, Haniyeh declared that Hamas was determined to continue fighting despite Israel's military offensive in the Strip, but added that the group would be willing to cooperate in efforts to negotiate a cease-fire agreement with Israel.

"Gaza will not break - our victory over the Zionists is near," Haniyeh said in a fiery speech. "Our fate is in the hands of Allah, so what power could the sons of Zion against him? Allah will take his revenge on them."

"When we watch over you, residents of Gaza, we draw patience and will power from you," Haniyeh went on to say, adding however that Hamas does not have the physical might to withstand Israel's "war machine."
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The Hamas leader ended his address with a prayer.

Haniyeh first appeared on Hamas television some two weeks ago, saying that Israel's operation in Gaza was paramount to genocide of the Palestinian people. Haniyeh and other senior Hamas officials have gone into hiding since Israel launched its operation on December 27.

Meanwhile Monday, other Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip declared victory to be "closer than ever."

In a statement distributed to news organizations, the Hamas cabinet said it continued to function as a government and condemned Israel for its "reoccupation" of Gaza, saying the invading forces would soon be repelled.

"We confirm to our people that victory is closer than ever," the statement read.

"We confirm our intention to continue to work to stop the terrorists' war against our people, end the siege completely and bring about a reopening of the crossings."

A report in Reuters on Monday quoted unnamed sources in Lebanon close to Hamas as saying the group would not accept ceasefire efforts that include a long-term truce with Israel.

Israel launched its offensive on Dec. 27 saying it intended to put a stop to Hamas' firing of rockets across the border into southern Israeli towns and cities.

Following several days of aerial bombardment, Israeli troops and tanks launched a ground offensive, moving in on the major population centres, including the city of Gaza.

Some 900 Palestinians, including some top Hamas commanders, have been killed in the assault, according to Palestinian medics and the Islamist movement.

Hamas, which came to power in Gaza after elections in 2006 and subsequently seized control of the territory of 1.5 million people, said it would remain steadfast.
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  1.   Really? 20:53  |  David 12/01/09
  2.   He has a strange idea of, "victory." 20:53  |  SDHD 12/01/09
  3.   Haniyeh = Monty Python`s "Black Knight" 20:56  |  SDHD 12/01/09
  4.   Allah `s wrath 20:57  |  Dutchtoo 12/01/09
  5.   Ismail Haniyeh.....dead martyrs are very patient!!!! 20:58  |  Maria 12/01/09
  6.   Love the Way People Speak for Allah 21:00  |  Brad 12/01/09
  7.   Hamas: "`Tis Merely A Flesh Wound!" 21:02  |  Mitch 12/01/09
  8.   To Mitch 21:09  |  Erez 12/01/09
  9.   I think someone needs to tell him what `victory` means 21:09  |  David Hartman 12/01/09
  10.   Allah Did This 21:39  |  SLD 12/01/09
  11.   Hamas Leaders 21:45  |  Linda 12/01/09
  12.   PR Machine 21:56  |  Hirz 12/01/09
  13.   Gilad Shalit 21:58  |  Jew 12/01/09
  14.   Hamas 21:58  |  Brauner 12/01/09
  15.   Victory is Near? 22:01  |  American 12/01/09
  16.   reponse 22:03  |  Joel 12/01/09
  17.   His fantasy is incredible 22:09  |  ANUAR AL SADAT 12/01/09
  18.   Referring to something else 22:09  |  shaun 12/01/09
  19.   There Are No American Forces In Bagdad - Comical Ali Returns ! 22:10  |  Phil 12/01/09
  20.   Hamas "victory?" 22:11  |  Charles 12/01/09
  21.   If Palestinians could read 22:15  |  Moe Hamhead 12/01/09
  22.   agree that jerusalem should belong to no one 22:29  |  Linda Northcutt 12/01/09
  23.   No mercy on hamas 22:38  |  real vision 12/01/09
  24.   victory for hamas = self destruction 22:39  |  Chai 12/01/09
  25.   Remember 1967? 22:40  |  Angel 12/01/09
  26.   hamass leaders 22:41  |  don the maccabee 12/01/09
  27.   my favorite part... 22:43  |  bentzy 12/01/09
  28.   Haniyeh 22:57  |  Punta 12/01/09
  29.   Conditions for truce should include... 23:00  |  flyingdoc57 12/01/09
  30.   like the Nazis on May 1945 23:08  |  Charles 12/01/09
  31.   Haniya Shell Shocked 23:09  |  Mark of Lewiston 12/01/09
  32.   No one deserves this idiot 23:10  |  ScotGuy 12/01/09
  33.   Chai Israel will never have this opportunity again 23:11  |  Simon 12/01/09
  34.   Very strange 23:15  |  Alex 12/01/09
  35.   Cue the music 23:18  |  The Phone Guy 12/01/09
  36.   Don`t Negotiate With Israel`s Sworn Enemies. Defeat Them.! 23:25  |  Alex 12/01/09
  37.   The Black Knight 23:26  |  The Phone Guy 12/01/09
  38.   I think his mind is completely gone.. 23:32  |  dan 12/01/09
  39.   Always a bag of tricks 23:44  |  JS 12/01/09
  40.   Continuing to function as a government? 23:53  |  Chuck L 12/01/09
  41.   Mark of Lewiston - pro forma 23:54  |  Mark Lincoln 12/01/09
  42.   Iran does not want an end to the fighting 23:54  |  Cipora Julianna Koh 12/01/09
  43.   To Moe Hamhead 00:04  |  AG 13/01/09
  44.   Haniyeh`s Call For Victory 00:13  |  jed nightingale 13/01/09
  45.   Don?t please! 00:20  |  Stranger 13/01/09
  46.   He recently changed his tune! 00:21  |  redbourn 13/01/09
  47.   hamas victory 00:40  |  mike 13/01/09
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