Hamas chief says Israel's 'holocaust' on Gaza Strip has killed any chance of peace

Washington, Jan 10 (ANI): Damascus based Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal has vowed that Israel had squandered any chance of settlement and negotiation after Israel warned of escalation of its hostilities with the militant outfit.

Mashaal gave a fiery speech on the Arabic news channel Al-Jazeera condemning Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip, describing it as a "holocaust."

"You have finished off the last chance and breath for settlement and negotiations," FOX News quoted Mashaal, as saying.

He called on Arabs to continue their protests to pressure their leaders and the international community.

"We are living the hardest moments of the resistance now, we want another intifada in Palestine and on the Arab street," Mashaal added.

Meanwhile, Israel pounded rocket sites and tunnels on Saturday while its planes dropped leaflets warning of an escalation, and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas predicted a "waterfall of blood" unless all parties adhere to the UN's call for a durable cease-fire.

Hamas fighters kept up attacks on southern Israel, launching 15 rockets. And with neither side ready to step down, the death toll in two weeks of fighting rose to more than 800 Palestinians, according to Palestinian medical officials, and 13 Israelis.(ANI)