Gaza rallies as US envoy arrives in Ramallah

14/12/10 23:13 CET

world news

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Tens of thousands of people have attended a rally in Gaza City, 23 years to the day since Hamas was formed.

Considered a terrorist organisation by the EU, US and Israel, in Gaza the Islamist group is seen as a legitimate resistance movement.

Leader Ismail Haniyeh arrived to address the crowd, and reiterated the Hamas pledge to never recognise Israel

In September, the group vowed to step up attacks on Israel after Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas began a fresh round of talks with Israel under the auspices of the US.

Those talks have now faltered over Israel’s continued settlement building on disputed territory.

On Tuesday, US Middle East envoy George Mitchell met Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah to put forward Washington’s suggestions to get the process moving again.

The Arab League will meet in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the stalled talks.

The settlements are illegal under international law, but Israel disputes this.

More about: Anniversary, Hamas

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