Posted on 06/20/2002 3:33:52 PM PDT by knighthawk
GAZA, June 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Leaders of the Islamic resistance movement Hamas announced Thursday that their armed wing would continue resistance against the Israeli military occupation of Gazaand the West Bank.
Hamas spokesman Abdel Aziz Ranteesi condemned the calls of Palestinian officials and figures for halting suicide bombing attacks targeting Israeli civilians.
"If we have an effective weapon in our hands and the whole worldis trying to take it off us, this kind of reaction shows it to be the most effective way," said Ranteesi, referring to suicide bombing attacks.
Instead of calling for ending the military operations, those (Palestinian) officials must issue a statement that condemns the Israeli crimes of killing children and women, demolishing houses and confiscating lands, said Ranteesi.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has been calling for an end to attacks on Israeli civilians. He also issued a written statement Wednesday to appeal for a complete halt to suicide bombing attacks.
Arafat said shootings and bombings "must be completely halted." Otherwise, he warned, the result might be "full Israeli occupation of our lands."
Arafat renewed his call late Thursday for an end to attacks on Israeli civilians "because we are against killing any civilians, whether Palestinians or Israelis."
However, Arafat said that Israel, through its military actions, is "preventing all our efforts" to end the violence.
We can only hope!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.