Hamas lauds Egypt's support for Palestine

Gaza, Aug 27: A day after Egypt brokered truce between Hamas and Israel, the Gaza-based militant group Hamas appreciated Cairo's historical role in supporting the Palestinian cause.

Hamas's spokesperson Sami Abu-Zahri lauded Egypt's role in reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. "We have welcomed the Egyptian role in reaching a truce deal since the start. We went to Cairo for that purpose," MENA quoted Abu-Zahri as saying Wednesday.

The conflict in Gaza ended Tuesday after Israel and the Palestinians agreed on an open-ended ceasefire, putting an end to seven weeks of bloodshed.

In the agreement, Israel had agreed to ease its blockade of Gaza to allow in aid supplies and building materials.

Abu-Zahri added it was "a good end", hoping Egypt would honour its promise to ease measures at Rafah terminal.

While hosting the regular negotiations in Cairo, Egypt had called on Israel and the Palestinians to go for ceasefire indefinitely and resume talks to reach a permanent ceasefire agreement that ended the fighting in the conflict-torn Gaza Strip.

Israel launched a large-scale air, sea and ground military operations July 8 in Gaza in response to rockets fired into its land from the coastal enclave.

According to the Gaza health ministry, Israel has killed 2,140 Palestinians and wounded 11,100 in the offensive.

Israel claims Gaza militants killed 69 Israelis, including 64 soldiers and five civilians.

IANS