Hamas warns of third intifada if Govt talks fail
Foreign Desk Report

CAIRO—Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal has warned of a third intifada unless there is an international agreement for a Palestinian state with 1967 borders within six months.
“We give the international community six months for real political horizons... There is a historic opportunity for a Palestinian state within 1967 borders,” Meshaal told reporters in Cairo Saturday. “Our national demands, and these are not the demands of Hamas, are the end of the occupation, the creation of a Palestinian state within 1967 borders without settlements, big or small, real sovereignty over and under the territory” the Hamas leader said.
“We reject what others have proposed, such as phases or phased negotiations, declarations of principles. All Palestinian forces have agreed unanimously to a state within 1967 borders. Arab States have also agreed to this position,” he added. In comments addressed to the international community, he warned the Palestinians’ patience was wearing thin. “Seize this opportunity,” he urged. “We will not be patient for longer than we have been. If our demands are not met, the Palestinian people will close all political files and launch a third intifada. The conflict will be open and the victory in this conflict will be ours.” Meshaal, who is based in Damascus, has been holding talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo on the problems facing the formation of a Palestinian unity government, seen as crucial to lifting a crippling Western blockade on the Palestinians, and securing a prisoner swap deal with Israel.
“The national unity government will be formed. We, the Palestinians are one people. We have no choice but to agree,” he said. However, Meshaal said the formation of the government was dependent on several issues including “a guarantee for the lifting of the blockade,” he said. “The international community must correct the sin it made 10 months ago and lift the blockade.” Western donors cut financial aid to the Palestinian Authority after Hamas took the helm of the Palestinian government in March, demanding the Islamist movement renounce violence and recognise Israel’s right to exist.
Tens of thousands of civil servants have not been paid in months and banks have shied away from transferring donations for fear of financial sanctions by the West. Earlier this month, Arab foreign ministers vowed to ignore the aid freeze imposed on the Palestinian Authority and start stepping up payments.
Meshaal welcomed this decision but said it was now time for the cash to start flowing. “Now we want the implementation, without waiting for a green light from the US or Europe,” Meshaal said. He blamed Israel for the delay in an agreement to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Palestinian groups including the armed wing of Hamas in June. The capture of the soldier led to a widescale Israeli offensive in Gaza which has killed more than 300 people.