Hamas PM reaffirms Palestinian struggle

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has claimed that Israel's siege on Gaza has brought the Palestinians together and strengthened their resolve. Speaking at a welcome event for international activists, Haniyeh said: "The blockade on Gaza is aimed at isolating the strip from the Arab and Islamic nations, and forcing us to accept defeat, but this goal has not been achieved because of people's resistance and our continuous work to keep our relations with other nations amid the siege and the war. “The siege has meant people from Islamic nations want to topple the tyrants, who have supported this blockade and signed agreements with the Israeli occupation," he added. Haniyeh also called on the Arab and Islamic nations to defend Jerusalem from an Israeli plot, adding that he had discussed the issue with the Egyptian and Turkish presidents. Haniyeh disclosed that Egypt's president Mohammed Morsi will organised a conference in Cairo to show solidarity with Jerusalem. He also commented on the Israeli threat against Palestine, especially Jerusalem and al-Aqsa mosque. "The occupation is working on dividing al-Aqsa," Haniyeh warned, calling on the Islamic nation to remain resolute in support of the Palestinians.