'Hamas opposed to ending ceasefire with Israel even if hunger-striker Allan dies'
According to sources, Hamas and Islamic Jihad met on Sunday to discuss their future plans should hunger-striker Mohammed Allan, an Islamic Jihad affiliate, die in Israeli custody.
By KHALED ABU TOAMEHUpdated: AUGUST 16, 2015 22:17Palestinians Hamas supporters take part in a rally ahead of the 27th anniversary of the movement founding, in Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip(photo credit: REUTERS)
Hamas and Islamic Jihad officials on Sunday held meetings in the Gaza Strip to coordinate their moves in wake of the continued hunger strike of Palestinian inmate Mohammed Allan.Allan, who is affiliated with Islamic Jihad, remains in critical condition in Barzilai Medical Center. He has been on hunger strike for the past two months in protest against his administrative detention.Islamic Jihad has threatened that it would resume its terror attacks against Israel if Allan dies.Sources in the Gaza Strip claimed that Hamas remains opposed to ending the current cease-fire with Israel, even if Allan dies. According to the sources, Hamas made it clear to Islamic Jihad leaders that the only response to Allan’s death should come from the West Bank and not from the Gaza Strip.Islamic Jihad spokesman Daoud Shehab accused the Israeli government of seeking to “assassinate” the hunger striker. He said that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was fully responsible for any harm done to Allan.Shehab said that Islamic Jihad’s armed wing, Al-Quds Brigades, would take action if Allan dies. However, he did not specify the nature of the action or whether the group would resume its rocket attacks against Israel from the Gaza Strip.Some 200 people were protesting Sunday outside Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon where Muhammad Allan, the Palestinian prisoner who is currently in the 63rd day of a hunger strike, is in critical condition.Police forces were on the scene keeping protesters who support Allan and those against him from clashing with one another. The protests were taking place without a permit.Five people were arrested outside of the hospital, including a minor suspected of an attempt to disturb the peace who was holding a stone in his hand.
