Senior Hamas official says war with Israel not over yet

PanARMENIAN.Net - A senior Hamas official has told supporters at a Gaza City rally that the war with Israel won't be over until the group's political demands are met, the Associated Press reports.

The official, Mushir al-Masri, said Thursday, Aug 7, that "our fingers are on the trigger and our rockets are trained at Tel Aviv."

Al-Masri spoke as Israel and Hamas were holding indirect negotiations in Cairo about new border arrangements for blockaded Gaza and extending a ceasefire.

Hamas demands that the blockade be lifted, while Israel insists the Islamic militant group disarm first.

Al-Masri said Hamas would never consider such a demand. He said that "we are not going to relinquish them until all our lands are liberated."

Thursday's rally drew several thousand supporters, the first gathering by Hamas activists since Gaza fighting began July 8.