Ramadan Abdullah Shallah
Photo: AFP
Jihad: Egypt yet to respond to our reservations
Islamic Jihad secretary-general says Palestinians submitted their list of reservations over ceasefire agreement, but have yet to receive response from Cairo. Palestinians feel victory is near, he adds
Terror organizations present united front: Islamic Jihad
Secretary-General Ramadan Abdullah Shallah continued to present a tough stance on the part of the Palestinians on Thursday afternoon.
Shallah said that the Palestinians demand an immediate withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces from the Strip, and have no plans to surrender.
Speaking in an interview to the al-Jazeera network, Shallah stated that the Palestinian organizations submitted to Egypt a list of reservations over Cairo's proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, but have yet to receive a satisfying response.
Other Side
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Senior diplomatic official tells Ynet that if Egyptian truce proposal fails to meet Israeli objectives, other options remain open, hinting military op could expand. Decision of whether to accept ceasefire plan or deepen offensive to be made by Friday, he adds
"The resistance won't stop, and Gaza won't surrender. Victory is near," he stated.
The Jihad leader criticized Israel's strikes in Gaza and turned to the world, saying, "You've all seen the thick smoke billowing over the Strip. Some 500 tons of explosives have been dropped on every inch in the Gaza Strip."
Shallah noted that the tough resistance in Iraq began after the invasion. He claimed that the resistance now had many options and called on Hamas and the other organizations in the Strip to form a resistance government.
"It's unthinkable that we have a government besieged in Ramallah. Where is the Palestinian Authority?" he said, directing his criticism at Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Hamas' representative to Cairo Salah Bardawil said at a press conference Wednesday that the group still had many reservations regarding the Egyptian initiative.
"We will try to achieve our objectives in any way possible, in order to end the aggression, lift the siege and open the crossings," he stated.
"The Egyptian proposal is the only plan that has been presented to us," said Bardawil. "We have presented our vision and hope it will materialize."
