In a speech delivered by phone to a Hamas gathering that was convened last Friday in the Palestinian Authority Al-'Adawiya High-school in Tulkarm, Head of the Hamas Politibureau, Khaled Mash'al, stated:
"Hamas has tens of martyrs who are willing to carry out attacks against Israeli targets. An operation of such Martyrs exceeds that of Arab armies who fought the Hebrew The importance of the weapon of such martyrs is no less than the importance of nuclear weapons."
"These initiatives and proposals [Mitchel's and Tenet's] are only meant to save Tel-Aviv and its Premier Sharon, after the rope of these Martyrs has tightened on his neck.They are only meant to deal with Israel's security, not with the Palestinian people's rights."
"The ceasefire that was declared [by Arafat] is not accepted by Hamas neither in terms of principles nor considering the reality.In terms of principles what happens in the occupied territories is not [a clash] between two armies and therefore the principle of ceasefire does not apply to it.Also, it is not mutual violence. Rather, it is legitimate activity of the Palestinian people to defend itself against the aggression of the occupation."
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"Realistically, the Intifada continues and will continue. It did not stop because there is a consensus amongst the Palestinian people on all its factions to endorse the option of struggle and Intifada until all of the goals of the Palestinian people are achieved [namely]: the liberation of the land, and the expulsion of the occupation."
"The martyrs of Hamas are ready to carry out their duty and Sharon has no where to hide but to go."[1]
The PA organ Al-Hayat Al-Jadida published an invitation to join the gathering. The invitation mentioned that the gathering is convened to commemorate and honor the two martyrs of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Ahmad Umar Alayan and Mahmoud Ahmad Marmash. The invitation specified the location of the gathering in the PA high-school.[2]
Little children holding weapons participated in the gathering as well as future suicide bombers with their white garments and bandanas.Hamas activists distributed amongst the participants at the gathering posters of the last 10 martyrs in suicide operations.
