Hamas member predicts end to Gaza blockade

Member of Hamas' Legislative Council Dr Mohamed Shihab says that 2013 will witness "the end of the siege on Gaza and the death of negotiations with Israel." During a workshop organised by the Palestine Institute for Strategic Studies, Shihab said, "we will revive the Palestinian cause in 2013 and restore our status with the help of countries like Egypt and Qatar." Shehab said he is expecting the Gaza siege to end this year and he is very optimistic about reconciliation with Fatah. "It is true that the parties are standing firmly in their positions right now, but facts on the ground prove that a change is taking place." He pointed out that Israeli violations strengthened the possibility of a "third Palestinian uprising," stressing that "the PLO and Israel would be unable to stop it." Shahab claimed that Western discontent against Israel and the Palestinian Authority, "threatens the future of the Authority." He didn't rule out the possibility of resuming negotiations with the Israeli government and United States due to pressure and blackmail, but said that any negotiations will fail. "Perhaps by the end of this year, all parties will announce the death of negotiations," he added. The Hamas member predicted that Israel will feel a sense of "isolation" in 2013, due to America's limited political influence in the region, and the deterioration of Israel's strategic situation after losing support among neighbouring regimes. He said Binyamin Netanyahu will launch a fresh military assault against Gaza after the Israeli election, but the move will backfire because "this year, Islamists will remain stubborn in power."