Hayya: Hamas will not dissolve Gaza administrative committe

Member of the Hamas political bureau Khalil al-Hayya said on Tuesday that the policy pursued by the Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas against Gaza entrenches the internal division.

During a press conference held by Hamas in Gaza, Hayya said, “We were surprised by Abbas’s measures against Gaza,” noting that the worst thing is to rely on a religious discourse to justify ruining the Gaza Strip.

Hayya stressed that a unity based on partnership and faith in the other is the way to confront the Israeli occupation, adding that Gaza, which is being fought by Abbas, is a maker of glory and revolution.

Hayya revealed that Abbas had foiled a Qatari initiative to end the division few months ago and confirmed Hamas’s readiness for immediate national, presidential and legislative elections all in one package within three months, expressing his Movement’s rejection of the idea of an alternative homeland in any place.

He pointed out that there are three conditions for meeting the Fatah delegation even though Hamas has not been officially informed yet about the delegation’s visit to Gaza.

He explained that the three conditions are to abolish all taxes imposed on the fuel sold to the Gaza power station and reverse the deductions imposed on both the salaries of the PA employees in Gaza and the financial allocations of the martyrs’ families, adding that any future meeting with Fatah must be held in the presence of all factions.

The Hamas official affirmed that Hamas will not dissolve the Gaza Administration Committee and that meetings with the Fatah leadership in Gaza are ongoing and intensive.

Hayya stated that the strategic projects proposed to solve the electricity crisis are disabled based on a decision by Abbas and the PA government’s premier Rami Hamdallah. He confirmed his Movement’s support for the decision of the Gaza Energy Authority not to buy fuel as long as taxes are still imposed on it.

Hayya announced Hamas’s solidarity and support for the PA employees in Gaza who were affected by the salary cuts.

He saluted the hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and congratulated the newly released female prisoner Lina al-Jarbouni.