Haniyeh: Egypt must hold Israel 'responsible for its crimes'

Egypt, who sponsored indirect negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, must hold Israel "responsible for its crimes" in the Gaza Strip, Deputy Chief of Hamas' Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh said yesterday.

In a statement, Haniyeh asked that "our brethren in Egypt hold the enemy responsible for its crimes against civilians, for our people will not accept anything less than ceasing the aggression and lifting the siege."

Cairo sponsored indirect negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian delegations in order to reach an agreement for a lasting truce.

Haniyeh said: "We advise all of those who endeavour to attain a ceasefire to attest to the occupation's treachery and tendency to break promises and the killing of women, children and the extermination of entire families."