Israeli Pm Evades Calls For Lifting Gaza Siege: Hamas

Palestinian resistance faction Hamas has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of evading calls for lifting a years-long blockade on the Gaza Strip.



"Settlers must understand that Netanyahu does not care for them and he is still evading [calls] for lifting the Gaza siege," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a press release on Monday.



Scores of Israeli settlers in settlements near Gaza border took to the streets on Monday to call for lifting the siege on the Palestinian territory and to reach a peaceful settlement to the conflict.



Ever since Hamas – which Israel deems a "terrorist" organization – won Gaza's 2006 legislative polls, Israel has imposed a tight land and sea blockade on the coastal strip.



The self-proclaimed Jewish state tightened the blockade further after Hamas took control of the enclave one year later.



By Mustafa Haboosh



englishnews@aa.com.tr



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