Hamas leaders on Saturday said there is no truth behind plans to open a new office in Tunis. That denial comes after reports began circulating in which the group would move out of Syria as the country falls into further political crisis while Hamas refuses to take sides publicly.
According to Salah Al Bardwell, a Hamas leader:
“The movement has no intention to set up an office in Tunis,” and “There has never been talk within the movement about this issue.”
The rumor of a new Tunis office started after Abdullah Zouari, from Al Nahda, the Islamist party of the country’s prime minister said there was no doubt the Hamas would open the office.
Zouari told the Arab daily Al Sharq Al Awsat:
“We welcome the opening of a Hamas office in Tunisia.”
News of the office opening comes after Hamas’ prime minister in Gaza conceded that Israel will never give up arms, territory or its claims on Jerusalem on behalf of the Palestinians.Speaking to a crowd of 5,000 cheering Tunisian’s on Sunday Ismail Haniyeh said Israel faced hard times ahead as members of the crowd shouted anti-Israeli comments and walked on a large cloth with the Star of David at it’s center.
