Deputy head of Hamas's political bureau Ismail Haniya has called for continuing the pressure on the Israeli occupation to force it to release the bodies of Jerusalem intifada martyrs.

Haniya’s remarks came in a phone call with the family of Hadil Awwad, a 16-year-old Jerusalemite girl who was shot dead by Israeli security men a few days ago in Occupied Jerusalem.

He also phoned the family of Nurhan Awwad, who suffered bullet injuries when she was with her cousin Hadil.

He offered his condolences to the families of Awwad and expressed his condemnation of Israel's persistence in detaining Palestinian martyrs' bodies.

"Our martyrs are a source of pride for us and the entire [Islamic] Nation, and we will never forget them, especially the women and girls of Palestine," Haniya told the families. 

He also hailed Hadil and Nurhan as two symbols of belonging to Palestine and love for the holy sites, wishing a speedy recovery for Nurhan.