The deposed Prime Minister of Hamas movement Ismail Haneya said on Tuesday that his government is monitoring the Israeli commitment to a truce brokered by Egypt between Hamas and Israel.
"We are monitoring and observing to what extent Israel is committed to the truce, and the Palestinian people who would finally decide whether to continue with it or not," said Haneya.
Haneya made the remarks during a session of the Hamas-dominant Legislative Council (PLC) held in Gaza to vote for expanding his deposed government with four more portfolios. His cabinet now consists of ten ministries.
Acting speaker of the PLC Ahmed Bahar told reporters that the house had approved the ministerial adjustment by adding more portfolios to the (deposed) government."
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas decreed to depose Haneya's national unity government after Hamas movement took control of Gaza Strip by force in June last year and routed Abbas security forces. Haneya refused the decree.
Haneya told the PLC members who are all from Hamas, where other factions' legislatures boycotted, that the beginning of the truce "is not encouraging," urging Egypt to pressure on Israel to be more committed to the truce.
Israel on Tuesday re-closed all Gaza Strip border crossings after unknown militants launched a homemade rocket from Gaza Stripat southern Israel. No damages or injuries were reported and no one claimed responsibility.
Source: Xinhua
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