A Hamas leader said on Sunday Israel’s three-week offensive in the Gaza Strip was a failure and had not cowed the Palestinians, APA reports.
“The enemy has failed to achieve its goals,” Ismail Haniyeh, the top Hamas leader in the territory, said in a speech broadcast on Hamas television.
Though he called the war, in which more than 1,300 Gazans and 13 Israelis died, a “popular victory” for Palestinians, Haniyeh said Hamas’ decision to declare a truce on Sunday was “wise and responsible”.
Earlier Sunday Hamas announced an immediate ceasefire by its fighters and allied groups in the Gaza Strip and gave Israel a week to pull out its troops.
Israel declared cease-fire on January 18. The date of withdrawal of Israel’s troops from Gaza Strip is not known yet.
Hamas leader declares ’victory’ over Israel
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