Haniyeh warns of a violent escalation in Gaza

The head of the Palestinian government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh has said that the Israeli occupation does not need any justification for an escalation of their conflict with the Palestinian people, noting that the Palestinian government has called for national forces to continue working under the national agreement. He also called on Israel to stop targeting citizens, and carrying out attacks immediately, as this will lead to an escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip. Speaking on another topic, Haniyeh said that the September bid for statehood is a step that will not be built upon practically and concretely on the ground, pointing out that the problem of the Palestinian people was not the UN resolutions. Haniyeh attended a memorial service that was held for the prominent leader, Mohammad Sham’a, on Friday evening in the Shati refugee camp west of Gaza city. There he made a statement to the press, saying that there are resolutions that have been made by the United Nations and the Security Council which have given the Palestinian people their right to statehood, but these resolutions have not been fully implemented. Haniyeh believes that the alternative is to search for a Palestinian strategy based primarily on strengthening the unity of the Palestinian people, and enhancing their steadfastness, and adherence to these rights, in order to extract their state from the jaws of the Israeli occupation. He added: “I do not believe that the world will bless us with the state, and submit to us on a silver platter. It is a great shame that many countries are colluding with the occupation, like the United Nations at this stage, which is currently backing and covering up the crimes and aggressions of the occupation.” He added: “Today a resolution and tomorrow a state. I don’t believe that!” With regards to the issue of internal reconciliation, Haniyeh said that the reconciliation requires the application of what was agreed upon in practice, stating: “Adhering to a specific person to head the government was a departure from the national agreement. This has been one of the main obstacles to the implementation of the reconciliation agreement.” He added: “It is difficult for us to link the Palestinian issue, and even for national dignity to link Palestinian relations to one particular person.” In response to the published information on UNESCO’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel Haniyeh said: “It is unacceptable and condemnable. We got in touch with UNESCO and they say that their position has not changed. We will examine the accuracy of that over the coming days.”