Prime Minister in Gaza says national reconciliation is essential

Ma’an- Prime Minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh said Saturday that reconciliation is irreversible and a national necessity we well as a strategic option to unify the Palestinians.

While checking in with students studying for their exams, Haniyeh said an agreement is posing some obstacles and challenges but this does not mean that unity is over; rather, it is essential.

He urged Fatah "to commit to all that was signed and to form a Palestinian government that is not affiliated with any party but it has a vision and agenda that was agreed on."

President Mahmoud Abbas vowed Friday to press ahead with efforts for a unity government.

"We are continuing on the path of reconciliation and there will be no turning back," Abbas said after talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that marked the end of his four day visit to Ankara.

As for captured soldier Gilad Shalit, Haniyeh urged involved in prisoners affairs to move to stop the "massacre that is being committed against Palestinian prisoners."

He noted that the government in Gaza does not have any involvement in Shalit's issue because "it is the responsibility of the factions, at the top of which is the Al-Qassam [Brigades]."

"We support reaching an honorable deal under which the conditions of the resistance are met.”

Israel marked five years since the capture of the soldier, meanwhile, amid growing international calls for Hamas to release him or at least provide proof of life.

"The message is: yes to a deal, no to indifference. Gilad has to be returned home," said a statement from the organizers of the event called the Gilad Shalit project, which was to be filmed live and broadcast on Facebook.

In Gaza City, Hamas organized a celebration to mark the event.