An Israeli shelling of the Gaza Strip   Gaza – Mohammed Habib   Hamas PolitBuro spokesman Salah al-Bardawil believes that Egypt’s change of stance regarding Israel will benefit Gaza in the long term. He said that Egypt could confront  Israel regarding their repeated attacks on Gaza. He said: “I hope Egypt will play a more important role against Israel. The Zionist entity strikes us of a regular basis these days just so that Netanyahu can win the next elections.”
Bardawil said he did not expect a war on Gaza just now as America is too busy with their presidential elections to back Israel in case of a war. Israel will not go to war without the US, he said. Last time Israel went to war, it had the support of many western and Arab countries. This time is different, he added.
Bardawil said there was no communication between Fatah and Hamas. Reconciliation is not in sight just yet. Fatah’s bid to be recognised as a state by the UN irritates Hamas, who declared there would be no dialogue with Fatah until they give up the idea.
Hamas’ spokesman demanded the Palestinian Authority to consider the internal situation in Palestine to implement the national reconciliation agreement (also known as the Cairo agreement) in order to find common grounds with Hamas, Fatah and the other political parties in Palestine.
Bardawil said: “Asking the UN for recognition is weak and useless. We would only be a ‘non-member state’ of the UN, as they call it. That won’t do anything for Palestine apart from the short-lived media attention we’ll get just to return to the reality of the occupation.”
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has not withdrawn from the electoral race against Moussa Abu Marzouk for the next election, he said.
 In a statement published by Palestine, Gaza’s local newspaper, Bardawil said that the electoral process was still ongoing. He said Hamas’ next leader will be elected before the end of the year.
Bardawil explained that the candidates do not volunteer but are chosen by the Shura Council. The candidates are then elected by the members of the political party.