Hamas hails EU calls to end Israel's blockade on Gaza

GAZA, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Gaza-ruling Islamic Hamas movement praised on Tuesday the calls of the European Union (EU) foreign ministers to end the embargo imposed by Israel on the Gaza strip.

During a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, the EU foreign ministers urged Israel to lift the blockade it has been imposing on the seaside Strip for three years.

Hamas, which took over the enclave three years ago, said in a press release that the EU calls are "a serious step forward to end the siege and open the borders."

Israel has been imposing a three-year-long blockade on Gaza after Hamas routed forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and grabbed hold of the Strip in 2007.

The movement also urged for a "full and permanent" opening of the land crossing and nautical routes under a special measure to ensure the safety of movement out and into the blockaded territory.

EU foreign ministers also reiterated their demand for a full independent inquiry into the Israeli attack against an aid flotilla bound for Gaza last month, where nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed.

International and Arab calls to end Israel's blockade of Gaza have markedly increased after the Israeli attack on the international aid ship.

๑۩۞۩๑๑۩۞۩๑๑۩۞۩๑๑۩۞۩๑๑۩۞۩๑

Sphere: Related Content