Hamas leader says Israel to use ‘blood’ of Palestinians as fuel for election

The leader of Hamas brushed aside the possibility of change from Israel’s coming election in an interview, saying he expected Israelis to campaign off Gaza’s “blood”.

“Whether this or that person comes to power, or this party or another – our people have suffered at the hands of all Israeli parties,” Khalil al-Hayya told the Qatari station Al-Araby on Saturday.

“We absolutely refuse to allow the blood, suffering and cause of the Palestinian people to serve as fuel for Israeli elections. What matters to us is that our people achieve their goals, aspirations and legitimate rights.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is locked in a tight contest as he seeks to stay in power in the October 27 election.