December 15, 2009 - 07:17
 Ismail Haniya, the de facto Hamas prime minister in Gaza, has vowed to continue his movement's "resistance and struggle" against Israel, as Hamas marked its 22nd anniversary. Speaking to tens of thousands of supporters at a rally in Gaza City on Monday, Haniya said that Middle East peace talks had "failed". "Negotiations have failed, and the negotiators said after 18 years that the result is zero," he told the crowd, who were dressed in the party's green and waving flags. "We say today in the name of the Palestinian people ... Hamas will not go back on its line of resistance and struggle until it achieves for our people their freedom and independence, God willing." A male singing troupe dressed in military camouflage shouted: "Gaza is free. Gaza is steadfast," as they marched in procession. Popularity Hamas took full control of the Gaza Strip two years ago after forcing out security forces loyal to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president and leader of the rival Fatah faction. Organisers said the celebrations revelead growing popularity for the political movement. "The Palestinian people's trust in the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, increases day by day," Abu Talha, head of popular activities in Hamas, told the Reuters news agency. Al Jazeera's Sherine Tadros, reporting from Gaza, said it was "incredibly important" for Hamas that significant numbers turn up at the rally, with ongoing hardships in the strip threatening to affect the movement's popularity. "People have come here today and they are still supporting Hamas' control over Gaza," she said. Gaza is continuing to struggle with poverty amid an ongoing blockade, while also recovering from Israel's war on the territory earlier in the year. Hamas has been unable to rebuild homes, sewage lines and water pipes destroyed in the offensive because Israel and Egypt continue to enforce a border blockade. Basic goods, such as food and some medicines are allowed into Gaza, but construction materials are not. Gaza blockade Israel first sealed Gaza's borders in June 2006 after fighters captured Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier. It was tightened a year later, when Hamas took control of the coastal strip, ousting forces loyal to Western-backed Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president. Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, was formed in 1987 at the beginning of the first intifada against Israel's occupation in the West Bank and Gaza. The group, which has carried out dozens of suicide bombings since the 1990s, is considered a terrorist group by Israel, the US and European Union. The group aims to establish an Islamic state in the region and does not recognise Israel's right to exist. It has also opposed plans by Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, to seek a permanent deal with Israel. http://english.aljazeera |
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