Hamas Vows to Continue Attacks

Hamas Vows to Continue Attacks
Hamas will continue attacks against Israelis, despite plans to evacuate settlements and military camps from the Gaza Strip, a top Hamas leader said Saturday. "We do not trust the Israelis and we do not trust that the Israelis are going to withdraw from Gaza while they are speaking of controlling the sea and the air. Until the occupation completely ends, our resistance will continue," Dr. Mahmoud al-Zahar said. Egypt has offered to send security advisers to Gaza Strip to help train and equip Palestinian forces, but al-Zahar said he rejected the proposed assistance. "We are against any sort of commitment to any security steps on any side," al-Zahar told reporters in Gaza City. "We are still in the resistance ... to free our land from the occupation." Al-Zahar spoke before a meeting with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, who made a trip to Gaza to meet with the heads of the various Palestinian security branches and members of Palestinian groups. Al-Zahar said that the continued Israeli presence in Gaza Strip was unacceptable. "When we hear something concrete, about full sovereignty, we will think about what is proposed to us," he said. "At this moment, our position stands firm. Our endeavor is a liberation endeavor, and if this liberation is not a full and comprehensive one, our endeavor will continue." Al-Zahar also warned Arab leaders not to cooperate with U.S. President George Bush, and called on them all to reject his proposals for reform in the Arab world. Meanwhile, Israel is expected to raze the homes of the some 7,500 Jewish settlers set to be withdrawn from Gaza Strip for fear they could fall into the hands of "terrorists," a source in Ariel Sharon's office said. "The houses will be demolished so that they do not fall into the hands of terrorists or the mafia run by Yasser Arafat," said the source, according to AFP. "It would have been otherwise had we received assurances that these buildings would be turned over the Palestinian refugees, but as this is not the case, we had no other choice." **PHOTO CAPTION*** Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar participates in a meeting regarding plans for after the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, in Gaza City, Saturday, June 12, 2004. (AP)

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