Speaking in Cairo today, the leader and co-founder of Hamas, Mahmoud al-Zahar, who is from the Gaza Strip, suggested that today’s reconciliation agreement with Fatah would succeed where past attempts had failed because in part the deal represented the “will of the revolution (in Egypt).”
Zahar was asked if Hamas will maintain a ceasefire with Israel. He said that is up to the Israelis. And he repeated the Hamas line that blames Israel for the violence, saying that Hamas will hold its fire as long as Israel refrains from attacking Gaza or the West Bank.
As for recognizing the state of Israel, Zahar ruled that out. He said Hamas could never recognize Israel because such a move would undermine the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
