Hamas reiterated its refusal to acknowledge the state of Israel on Saturday Rallies in Gaza mark 20th anniversary of birth of Hamas Date: 15 / 12 / 2007 Time: 14:50 www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=26785

Gaza - Ma'an - Hamas reiterated its refusal to acknowledge the state of
Israel on Saturday, as crowds took to the streets of Gaza to celebrate the
twentieth anniversary of the founding of the movement.

Thousands of Hamas supporters were joined by members of Islamic Jihad,
members of the leadership of the Popular Front for the Liberation of
Palestine and members of the Popular resistance Committees in Katiba Square
in Gaza City.

Marches in support of Hamas took place in different parts of the Gaza Strip
from the early morning.

Prominent Hamas leader Usama Al-Mazini addressed the crowd gathered in Gaza
City, saying "We are now celebrating the founding of Hamas and still
Palestinians are under attack in an immoral war. Those who are betting on
the fall of Hamas will face opposition."

"The rights of the Palestinian people are non-negotiable. Twenty years since
the founding of Hamas despite the seige and assassinations, Hamas is getting
stronger," Al-Mazini added.

He reiterated his movement's acceptance of unconditional dialogue with
Fatah, calling on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to give an answer to
this.

Mazini added that captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit will not be released
until all Palestinian prisoners are released from Israeli jails.