Hamas wants bigger German role in ending Gaza siege

Islamic Hamas movement, which rules the Gaza Strip, on Monday called for a bigger role by Germany in ending the siege on Gaza.

The plea was made in a statement on the occasion of a visit to Gaza by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Steinmeier, leading a senior German delegation of 60 people, arrived in the Gaza Strip on Monday through Erez crossing point between Israel and the blockaded enclave.

"Hamas movement looks for a greater German role that is equal to its great position in Europe and in the world to end the Israeli siege and stop the Israeli aggression," Hamas said in an emailed press statement.

Hamas urged Germany to be a mediator and play an important role to end an Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza since Hamas' violent takeover of the enclave in June 2007.

While in Gaza, Steinmeier met with United Nations officials and representative of local civil society organizations, but no meetings or talks with Hamas were scheduled.

Before Gaza, Steinmeier visited Israel on Sunday, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ramallah, where he held talks with Rami Hamdallah, the prime minister of the Palestinian consensus government.

Hamdallah, in a statement issued right after his meeting with Steinmeier, said the Palestinians call on Germany to recognize the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on 1967 borders.

"We are committed to the two-state principle on 1967 borders and to peace talks with Israel, but according to new criteria and a specific time schedule that leads to establishing a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital," the statement said. Endit