Hamas: Ban's statements on tunnels biased

Hamas expressed its rejection of statements by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in which he said he was "alarmed" over Hamas' vow to rebuild infiltration tunnels.

Hamas Spokesman Sami Abu Zohra said in press statements on Sunday the movement considers such statements as a violation of the international law and biased to the occupation.

The resistance tunnels are defensive and aim at protecting the Gaza Strip against the Israeli aggression, he said.

Alarmed by recent statements from the Hamas leadership in Gaza about their intention to continue building tunnels Ban Saturday said such remarks and actions do “serious disservice” to Gaza’s long-suffering people and put at risk the international community’s humanitarian and development efforts.

“Such statements and actions put at risk reconstruction, humanitarian and development efforts by the international community and Palestinian and Israeli authorities. They also do a serious disservice to the long-suffering people of Gaza,” Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

“After three devastating conflicts in seven years, people in Gaza and the people of southern Israel deserve a chance for peace and development,” the Secretary-General’s statement continued, underscoring that every effort must be made to improve the living conditions of the people of Gaza.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his condemnation of terrorism in all its manifestations,” it concluded.

Source: MENA