Fatah and Hamas appear to have more that unites them than divides them. Photo: Suhaib Salem-Pool

During a “victory” celebration today in Gaza Hamas terror leader Ismail Haniyeh called on Palestinians in the West Bank to launch a third Intifada.

“We are waiting for the Palestinians in the West Bank to damage settlements, the separation barrier and checkpoints. Join our fellow insurgents in the Gaza Strip. Then there will be a real unity,” he said, according to a translation.

Crowds took to the streets in Gaza Thursday to celebrate what Hamas declared as a victory against Israel’s military campaign, Operation Pillar of Defense. A ceasefire was announced Wednesday night after 8 days of fighting.

“This historic victory is the beginning of the liberation of all of Palestine and the liberation of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the release of all Palestinian prisoners,” he cried. “Gaza will not return to what it was. The siege and political and economic isolation of the Gaza Strip has ended and will not come back. The Occupation will think again before starting a war against the opposition and against another Arab country.”

According to Maariv, during the celebrations one man was wounded and three were injured when rounds of munitions were fired off.

On Wednesday Hamas terror chief Khaled Meshaal spoke with Christiane Amanpour in an interview on CNN. When pressed as to whether or not he would recognize Israel he said, according to a translation provided by CNN, “I accept a state of the 1967.  How can I accept Israel?  They have occupied my land.  I need recognition, not the Israelis.  This is a reversed question.”

He also said that an agreement would have to come based “according to the border of 1967 with the right to return.”