Hamas Unfazed By Netanyahu Speech To US Congress

The Palestinian Hamas movement on Wednesday dismissed a speech made one day earlier by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin before the U.S. Congress.



"Netanyahu is the world leader of evil," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told The Anadolu Agency.



"His speech before the U.S. Congress won't help whitewash his crimes against the Palestinians," he added.



Abu Zuhri described Netanyahu's address as an attempt to "portray the aggressor as the victim before international public opinion," adding that Hamas was "unfazed" by the Israeli PM's threats.



"We will continue to pursue all means necessary to protect the Palestinian people from Israeli aggression," he asserted.



On Tuesday, Netanyahu delivered a contentious speech to U.S. Congress in which he thanked Washington – long regarded as Israel's strongest ally – and U.S. President Barack Obama.



Netanyahu thanked the U.S. administration for its ongoing military assistance to Israel, some of which, he said, had been used to fund Israel's "Iron Dome" anti-missile defense system, which is used to detect and intercept rockets fired at Israel by Palestinian resistance factions.



In July and August of last year, more than 2,160 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed – and some 11,000 injured – during a devastating Israeli military onslaught against the blockaded Gaza Strip.



Israel's offensive, launched with the ostensible aim of staunching rocket fire from Gaza, destroyed numerous homes, hospitals, schools and public facilities across the Hamas-run coastal enclave.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Gazze