Hamas declares victory over Israel "close" 

Source: Reuters

Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip declared victory to be "closer than ever" on Monday despite a 17-day Israeli offensive that has crippled the territory and killed more than 900 Palestinians.

In a statement distributed to news organisations, 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 out 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."

Israel launched its offensive on December 27 saying it intended to put a stop to Hamas's 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.

More than 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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farhatmirza ; 2009-01-21 @ 09:43 NZDT  

Dear Sir/Madam, If and when the information is declassified, it may come out that the connection between 'shoe-treatment' of G.Bush in Iraq and, the carnage if not the genocide that followed in Ghaza, was not, after all, the figment of ones imagination. Regards, fjm

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sheildzee ; 2009-01-20 @ 19:34 NZDT  

Please report accurately. Hamas did not "seize control of Gaza from Abbas's Fatah forces in 2007 ...". You rightly state that Hamas won the general election so Hamas did not "seize" anything. Your point about Fatah is superfluous anyway so just stick to the facts - " Hamas was elected by the Palestinian people in democratic elections held in 2006." That is the truth. The power struggle that followed the democratic election of Hama is another issue entirely.

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flyer ; 2009-01-19 @ 16:50 NZDT  

Whew, a ceasefire of sorts - obviously the protest of the southland cafe owner against Israeli women has brought everyone to the negotiating table - AS IF.....

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farhatmirza ; 2009-01-19 @ 11:42 NZDT  

Dear Sir/Madam, To say that Israel funded Hamas looks improbable, if not ridiculous. However, I won't be surprised if Hamas took a cue of two from Hagana, Irgun, or Lehi. Regards, fjm

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philipmcc ; 2009-01-19 @ 10:01 NZDT  

I feel sad enough about the Gaza protagonists each claiming that they are the 'good guys' and the others are the 'bad guys', and the suffering that creates. But as I read these comments I see the same human tendency being acted out. So many claim that their view is 'right' and the others are 'wrong'. This stance is a major factor in all conflict. While that fear-based tendency persists we will go on having wars like Gaza.

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