Hamas' political chief Khaled Meshal was quoted as saying in comments published Monday that new 'intifada' is imminent in Palestinian territories. "It is not a mere prediction; I estimate it will be a reality in the future" he said in an interview with Newsweek.
"What does the world expect from the Palestinian people if the current conditions continue, if the economic siege continues, even after we formed the National Unity government? (There are) indicators that Israel is preparing for another [act of] aggression during the coming period, either against Lebanon, or in Gaza, or maybe in other theatres in the region," he told Kevin Peraino.
The Damascus-based leader also warned against United States putting pressure on Hamas. "The American administration should know that we are confident of the Syrian position and that any additional pressure on Hamas, inside or outside (the territories) would not be useful" he warned.
Replying to a question, he said Hamas does not object to having dialogue with anyone including the United States. "But we don't beg for such dialogues because the American administration tries to impose precondition" he said, adding that "we cannot give in to blackmail".
He described the recent visit of House speaker Nancy Pelosi to Syria as a step in the right direction. "Wise people in the US should realise that Israel and the fundamentalist American Conservative Right have both become burdens on the interests and the future of America," he said.
