Special report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts
GAZA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The deposed Hamas
government in Gaza on Monday slammed European Union (EU) Aid Commissioner Louis
Michel over his statements holding Hamas responsible for the Israeli offensive
on Gaza.
Taher el-Noono, spokesman of Hamas government, said
in a statement that "We condemn Michel's rude statements, which contradicts with
the international laws that give the right to occupied nations to defend
itself."
El-Noono also said Michel's statements did not hold
Israel "guilty for the awful crimes committed against civilians." The 22-day war
left around 14,00 people killed and 5,500 others wounded, as well as 20,000
houses destroyed.
"We don't rule out that Michel made such nasty
statements to please his Zionist masters in the United States, apparently he is
looking for their satisfaction or for a better diplomatic position," said
el-Noono.
Michel, who toured the badly damaged enclave of the
Gaza Strip on Monday, told a news conference that Hamas "is overwhelmingly
responsible for the war waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip."
"Launching (homemade) rockets at (Israeli) civilians
is a terrorist action, which has to be strongly denounced," said Michel when
touring Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza Strip.
When inspecting area destroyed by the Israeli army
during intensive Israeli offensive, he said "we should also remind that in spite
of all of this, Hamas is overwhelmingly responsible for the outcomes."
It is the first senior EU official to slam the
movement.
"I mean here to say that Hamas is a terrorist
movement and must be condemned. If we want the EU to encourage a political
dialogue that achieves calm and progress, Hamas should accept two conditions,"
said Michel.
"Hamas has to recognize Israel's right of return and
abandon the armed struggle which basically has terrorist dimensions," he said.
Meanwhile, Michel announced that the EU would donate
an urgent aid of 60 million euros (78 million dollars) for the
Palestinians.
EU official: Hamas responsible for Gaza war
GAZA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) Aid Commissioner Louis Michel held on Monday Islamic Hamas movement "overwhelmingly" responsible for the outcomes of the Israeli military offensive on Gaza.
Michel, who toured Monday the badly damaged enclave of the Gaza Strip, told a news conference that Hamas "is overwhelmingly responsible for the war waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip." Full story
Hamas slams Obama's statements on Middle East
GAZA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) Friday slammed new U.S. President Barack Obama for his statements on the Middle East calling on the Palestinian movement to recognize Israel.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a written statement sent to reporters that Obama's demands to accept the international Quartet's requirements "is the beginning of the slide into the wrong U.S. policies." Full story
