The political leader of Hamas has claimed that Israel failed to achieve its goals with its three week bombardment of Gaza.

Khaled Meshaal, who lives in exile in Damascus, said Hamas had withstood the onslaught, despite Israel’s military superiority and determination. Speaking during a televised address, Meshaal also called on Western diplomats to open a dialogue with Hamas, which is on an international blacklist of terrorist groups. Western and Palestinian officials have said Israel is blocking cash transfers to Gaza by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank – undermining the ability of Mahmoud Abbas’ administration to reassert its presence in the territory. The majority of Israeli troops pulled out of Gaza on Tuesday. Hamas officials and an Israeli envoy are set to meet for further talks in Cairo later today.More about: Israel, Palestinian Territories

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