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Last update - 00:32 01/01/2009
Top Hamas leader in first public appearance since Gaza war: We are victors
By Reuters
Tags: Israel news, Hamas, Gaza


A senior member of the Islamist Hamas leadership, which went underground when Israel launched its military offensive in the Gaza Strip a month ago, on Friday made his first public appearance since the fighting ended.

Khalil Al-Hayya, one of three survivors of the five best known Hamas leaders, told supporters at a rally that the group had achieved victory in the war and was now engaged in a political battle.
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"We promised to come out to you either as martyrs or as victors," Hayya told supporters. "Today I come out to you and you are victors."

About 1,300 Palestinians were killed and more than 4,000 wounded in Israel's 22-day onslaught. Two members of the Hamas leadership were targeted and killed by air strikes.

Israel lost 10 soldiers in the fighting and three civilians were killed in Israel by Palestinian rockets launched into Israel from Gaza.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh gave an interview to Al Quds television on Thursday from an undisclosed location, and remains underground.

Hayya tried to reassure Palestinians whose houses had been destroyed by Israel. "The reconstruction is coming, do not be worried about that," he said, adding the Hamas government intended to pay the salaries of its employees.

"I tell the resistance fighters, I tell the Qassam fighters, do not drop your weapons, do not put your weapons aside and do not abandon your trenches," Hayya said.

"I assure our people that the leaders who led the battle of victory are now leading the battle of politics. We are still in the midst of the battle and we are engaging politically," he said.

Hamas had not yielded on its demands that the Israeli blockade of the Gaza enclave be lifted and Gaza's borders opened to normal trade, he said.

Hayya reaffirmed his group's demands to conclude a prisoner swap with Israel that would see the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for the return of Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, kidnapped by Gaza militants in 2006.

"Gilad Shalit will never see the light and life until our prisoners see the light among their women and children," he said.

Israel has said Gaza's border crossings will not be permanently reopened until progress is made to resolve the situation surrounding Shalit's release.

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      1.   Khalil Al-Hayya 00:35  |  Jeff Northridge 01/01/09
      2.   Of course they won.... 00:38  |  Jasper 01/01/09
      3.   Hamas crawls out 00:40  |  DT 01/01/09
      4.   Hamas declares victory 00:42  |  Mike 01/01/09
      5.   He should have promised 00:50  |  ha! 01/01/09
      6.   Pyrrhic Victory 00:54  |  Yonatan 01/01/09
      7.   Hamas` Victory 00:15  |  Joshua Goodman 01/01/09
      8.   And a feast at his house 00:26  |  bobby 01/01/09
      9.   JESUSALEN 00:32  |  cristian 01/01/09
      10.   SADDAM HUSSEIN also clamed VICTORY 00:35  |  Vittorio 01/01/09
      11.   Of course Hamas are the victors... 00:40  |  Silvienne 01/01/09
      12.   I wish Hamas and (BTW Hezbullah) many more similar Victories 00:41  |  Alan SA 01/01/09
      13.   Hamas Victory 00:44  |  johnbo 01/01/09
      14.   Leave Hamas alone! 00:54  |  Mike 1 01/01/09
      15.   H AMAS WON again 00:02  |  Neutered Observer 01/01/09
      16.   Hamastians can have their victory 00:53  |  Ben Phishman 01/01/09
      17.   To cristian 00:05  |  Alex 01/01/09
      18.   victors 00:12  |  Elina 01/01/09
      19.   Hamas won the hearts and minds of decent people. 00:13  |  Lou Medel 01/01/09
      20.   Hamas & Hezbollah....the world knows that Israel 00:34  |  Maria 01/01/09
      21.   Hello Silvienne. 00:40  |  Magnus K. 01/01/09
      22.   hamass won?!?!?!? 00:45  |  Adrian de Klerk 01/01/09
      23.   A decisive victory by Israel 00:52  |  Sam C 01/01/09
      24.   Victories over civilians and cell-phones 00:57  |  allang 01/01/09
      25.   For All the Italian speaking People 00:11  |  Gil 01/01/09
      26.   Hamas 00:24  |  John 01/01/09
      27.   Top Hamas leader in first public appearance since Gaza war: We ar 00:32  |  Robert Nickisson 01/01/09
      28.   If that`s victory, I`d love to see what defeat looks like. 00:45  |  Mark 01/01/09
      29.   Does Jo Public care???? 00:05  |  The Judge 01/01/09
      30.   Typical 00:43  |  Lola 01/01/09
      31.   There goes the roadmap to peace.... 00:45  |  Nechama 01/01/09
      32.   Victory over civilians and cell-phones 00:10  |  allang 01/01/09
      33.   Victory over civilians and cell-phones 00:09  |  allang 01/01/09
      34.   11~Sivlienne congratulation on the war that was won 00:23  |  Akram Zekaria 01/01/09
      35.   It`s a victory because they `re going to get 00:36  |  Maria 01/01/09
      36.   To #1 - The 100-Year Long War 00:15  |  Binyamin 01/01/09
      37.   Binyamin, of course the US won in Vietnam! 00:03  |  Barry 01/01/09
      38.   To 33 Benyamin 00:44  |  Tet offender 01/01/09
      39.   Victorious Victor celebrates Victory! 00:54  |  Vittorio 01/01/09
      40.   Murat, is that so? 00:04  |  Abel 01/01/09
      41.   Murat, is that so? 00:04  |  Abel 01/01/09
      42.   Israel wins 300 - 0 00:06  |  Natallie Durson 01/01/09
      43.   Historical consciousness is necessary in order to fathom what ... 00:23  |  Jean Van Daem 01/01/09
      44.   when israel retaliates..... 00:04  |  yehuda 01/01/09
      45.   Israel on the wrong side of history. It will always be the loser! 00:12  |  Joe 01/01/09
      46.   Victor shouldm`t complain! - Why Erdogan got Engry? 00:13  |  Vittorio 01/01/09
      47.   for magnus k. 00:22  |  yehuda 01/01/09
      48.   #47..yehuda 00:17  |  Malone 01/01/09
      49.   What a "promise" - "martyrs or victors"!! That`s all? 00:09  |  S 01/01/09
      50.   For All the NONE Italian speaking People (English) 00:17  |  Gil 01/01/09
      51.   Binyamin # 36 Public Support And Perseverance 00:37  |  Jeff Northridge 01/01/09
      52.   Jasper lol exactly 00:07  |  Petra 01/01/09
      53.   hamas victory 00:21  |  ahmed 01/01/09
      54.   To Mr. Khalil Al-Hayya 00:06  |  Daniel 01/01/09
      55.   #11Silvienne , A wishfull thinking of a 00:19  |  TOMY 01/01/09
      56.   #21, Hi Magnus K... 00:08  |  Silvienne 01/01/09
      57.   #34, Akram Zekaria... 00:10  |  Silvienne 01/01/09
      58.   #35, Maria, you forgot something... 00:12  |  Silvienne 01/01/09
      59.   #55, TOMY, are you saying Israel won? 00:13  |  Silvienne 01/01/09
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