Hamas Deputy Chief Calls On Palestinian Authority To Withdraw Recognition Of Israel

GAZA, Feb 1 (NNN-WAFA) – A senior Hamas official, called on the Palestinian Authority, to withdraw its recognition of Israel, in response to the U.S. Middle East peace plan.

Palestinians “should upgrade the stage of all types of comprehensive resistance, to topple the U.S. deal,” Khalil al-Hayyah, deputy chief of Hamas, told worshippers at a mosque in Gaza city.

“Everyone should know that there are strong men in Palestine, who know how to defend their land with all their powers,” said al-Hayyah.

Hamas and other militant groups “have prepared an army and promoted its arms to kick the occupier (Israel) out of our land,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Israeli war jets carried out a series of intensive airstrikes on Hamas’ military positions, in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.

An Israeli army spokesman said, the airstrikes came, in response to Thursday night’s rocket attacks in Israel, while Hamas security officials said, severe damage was caused to farms in the area despite no reported injury.