HAMAS: TO PEACE WITH ISRAEL, ROCKETS TO CONTINUE

Hamas Leader: Rocket Attacks on Israel Will Continue - Ian Black
Khaled Mashal, the political leader of Hamas, speaking in Damascus Tuesday, insisted attacks on Israel will continue despite Israeli retaliation. Hamas has been the main force behind more than 250 Kassam rockets fired at southern Israel from Gaza in the past two weeks, killing two civilians. Mashal rejected demands by the Quartet that Hamas accept three conditions - recognition of Israel, an end to violence, and acceptance of previous peace agreements with Israel.

Mashal is described by Western sources as the channel for Iranian financial support for Hamas. The U.S. has pressed Syria to close down Hamas' Damascus offices but Syria insists it will not. Contemplating the forthcoming 40th anniversary of the June 1967 Middle East war, Mashal underlined his view that armed resistance will eventually succeed. (Guardian-UK)