Hamas' top leader Khaled Mashaal reiterated Saturday in Damascus, Syria, that his movement seeks a partnership with all political parties but also wants to reform the government. In a reference to Fatah, Mashaal warned that those "who might try block the work because they are out of power" would be held responsible if reforms are blocked.
Fears over the future of the security forces under a Hamas-led cabinet led to a chaos in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Most of the 58,000 security officers are allied with Fatah and worry that they will lose their jobs. Hamas has its own armed wing. Hamas is ready to merge armed factions including its military wing to form an army to defend the Palestinian people, Mashaal added. "We are willing to form an army like every country ... an army to defend our people against aggression," Meshaal told a news conference.
Asked whether Hamas would consider amending its charter and respect agreements the Palestinian Authority had signed with Israel, Meshaal conveyed: "We will not recognize the Israeli occupation but we are realistic and we know things are done gradually."
Meshaal also reiterated the Hamas' wish to form a government comprising all other Palestinian factions, including Fatah. "We believe it is in the interest of everybody to ride the train of Hamas because this train is going to reach (its destination)," he said. "We are still extending our hands to everybody and saying we need each other."
