The spokesperson of Hamas issued the following press statement:

We consider the visit of the Secretary-General of the United Nations , Antonio Guterres  , to Gaza  an important step in light of the challenges the region  is going through, the tight siege imposed on Gaza Strip, and the escalation of the Israeli violation against the Palestinian people and their holy places.

We assure that there  nothing justifies ignoring the suffering of the patients, families of detainees, and the owners of the destroyed  homes. Meanwhile, we do appreciate the importance of Guterres’s  speech concerning the Palestinian reconciliation which we are committed to fulfill and to overcome all obstacles that hinder it.

We reiterate the important role the Secretary-General plays  to end  the siege imposed on Gaza ,to support the just Palestinian cause , to stop the Israeli violations against the Palestinian people and their holy sites, and to prosecute the Israeli occupation for these violations and crimes.

Fawzi Barhoum

Spokesperson of Hamas

30^th of August, 2017