GAZA, Aug. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed wing of Palestinian ruling Fatah movement, praised Sunday the stand of the Islamic Hamas movement on resistance.

    In a press statement, the brigades affirmed that no side has the right to disarm any Palestinian armed wing.

    Addressing a press conference held in Gaza on Saturday, prominent Hamas leader Ismai Haneya said armed resistance will not stop and Hamas will never drop its arms after the Israeli withdrawal.

    The armed resistance will continue until the occupation of the West Bank and Jerusalem ends, Haneya added.

    "We support our brothers in Hamas and affirm that no Palestinian armed wing will be dissolved because Palestine is not Gaza only, but rather, Palestine is Palestine from the River (Jordan River) to the Sea (Mediterranean Sea) and it is our land and we have the right to defend it," said the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in the statement.

    "Our legitimate weapon will remain in our hands pointed at one enemy named Israel and not at the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) since it is part of the Palestinian people and we all belong to one people.

    "Those who call for disarming the Palestinian factions are indeed ridiculous persons working for their personal interests," itclaimed.

    Israel is set to kick off the disengagement plan on Aug. 15 whenabout 9,000 settlers in 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and four in northern West Bank will be evacuated. Enditem