Haniyah backs hunger-striking prisoners
 

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: New Hamas leader Ismail Haniyah pledged support for hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners on Monday in his first comments since being elected as head of the movement that runs the Gaza Strip.

Haniyah, who was chosen by the party as its new leader on Saturday, said the Islamist movement stood with the hundreds of prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails.

"This visit is a message to our heroic prisoners that your cause was and will remain a top priority," he said during a visit to a protest in support of the strikers in Gaza.

"Your freedom is a national duty and your dignity is our dignity," the 54-year-old added.

Hamas has run Gaza since 2007 but is considered a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States and the European Union. Hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli jails have been refusing food since April 17.

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