Palestinian Hamas movement said the world should understand that Gaza has decided to end the Israeli eight-year-old siege "by its blood, resistance and steadfastness." There is "no retreat," Hamas politburo deputy chief Ismail Haniya said in a speech Monday evening, and asserted that "the resistance will continue until this siege is lifted and the aggression is halted ... and release the prisoners ... .
"These demands are firm, humane and just which are in harmony with the international laws and in compliance with the former agreements with Israel," said Haniya.
He called on countries of the world to adopt "the demands of Gaza so the aggression stops and bloodshed of our people halts." The Israeli ground incursion into Gaza, which it launched last Thursday, followed the failure of the occupation forces' air strikes, he said.
The Israeli aggression on Gaza killed more than 500 people and injured at least 3,300 others.