Hamas asserts keenness on Palestinian conciliation

Palestinian Hamas movement affirmed that national unity and conciliation were part of its strategy which ultimately aimed at addressing key challenges like Jewish settlements, Judaization and Israeli aggression. Hamas, in a statement Saturday, underlined importance of the full implementing the Palestinian conciliation agreement in parallel with the formation of a government of national unity in order to end the inter-Palestinian division. It called for creating suitable atmospheres to bring about success to conciliation, including closure of files of political detention, freedom of expression and speech. Hamas said it has been six years since the "direct foreign interference" in the Palestinian internal affairs "and a systematic abortion of the Palestinian democratic process in which Hamas won the legislative elections." Hamas, which controlled Gaza Strip six years ago following armed clashes with the Palestinian Authority's security forces killing and wounding hundreds of Palestinians. The Palestinian movement issued its statement as the US was trying to jump-start negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis in yet another bid to achieve the two-state solution. The Palestinians insist that the Israelis must halt Jewish settlements' expansion in all occupied territories, among other matters.