Mashaal: Israel must free our prisoners

Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal on Tuesday blamed Israeli intransigence for a breakdown in negotiations to release captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad welcomes Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, for a meeting in his office in Teheran, Sunday.
Photo: AP

Speaking in Teheran, Mashaal said that Israel has no choice but to free the Palestinian prisoners Hamas wants in exchange for the captured soldier.

Regarding Iran, Mashaal warned that his group would back Iran, if it was attacked by Israel.

“All of the Islamic groups will take a united front with Iran against Israel,” he told reporters. “We’re all parts of the same body, we need to fight against the common enemy.”

On Sunday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated his support for Hamas during a meeting with Mashaal. Iran’s official news agency quoted him as saying, “The government and the people of Iran will always stand by the Palestinian resistance and the Palestinian people.”

“Today Palestine is symbol of the global front of freedom-seekers and militants,” Ahmadinejad added.