The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 06:35 PM

Hamas Declares It Will "Wipe Out Israel" During Gaza Strip Rally Thursday

At a rally in the Gaza strip on Thursday, Hamas’ second highest ranking military leader, Yahya Sinwar, said the terror group has no intention of recognizing Israel; instead, it still intends to wipe out Israel.

According to the Israel National News, Sinwar said:

"Gone is the time in which Hamas discussed recognition of Israel. The discussion now is about when we will wipe out Israel.”

“No one has the ability to extract from us recognition of the occupation.”

“No one will disarm us. No one can disarm Hamas."

Earlier in the week, Jason Greenblatt who is President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East demanded that Hamas disarm, recognize Israel, and follow all other agreements and commitments the Palestinian Authority (PA) has made during the past 25 years.

Greenblatt said:

“All parties agree that it is essential that the Palestinian Authority be able to assume full, genuine, and unhindered civil and security responsibilities in Gaza and that we work together to improve the humanitarian situation for Palestinians living there.”

“The United States reiterates the importance of adherence to the Quartet principles: any Palestinian government must unambiguously and explicitly commit to nonviolence, recognize the State of Israel, accept previous agreements and obligations between the parties – including to disarm terrorists – and commit to peaceful negotiations.”

“If Hamas is to play any role in a Palestinian government, it must accept these basic requirements."

Recently, Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organization-led Palestinian Authority signed a reconciliation agreement, establishing a united government for the first time in a decade.

Israel declared it would not negotiate with the unified Hamas-PLO government.