GAZA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The political bureau of the Islamic Hamas movement said on Wednesday that there will be no price in exchange for efforts to implement development and humanitarian projects in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement following a meeting in Gaza City, the political bureau of the movement, which rules the Gaza Strip since 2007, said its members discussed the various efforts exerted by several parties, especially by Egypt, to achieve national reconciliation and lifting the Israeli blockade as well as implementing development projects in the coastal enclave.
"There is no political price for this and we will never give up our weapons and resistance," according to the statement.
Over the past weeks, there have been reports about talks between Palestinian factions, Egypt, the United Nations and Israel to reach a long-term truce in Gaza that will end Israel's 11-year embargo and improve living and humanitarian conditions in the war-torn territory.
Earlier in the day, the delegation of the movement's leadership, headed by deputy head of the Political Bureau Saleh al-Arouri, left the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing after a week-long visit.
The delegation held talks with Gaza leadership of Hamas on a long-term cease-fire with Israel, internal reconciliation with Fatah Party of President Mahmoud Abbas, a prisoners swap deal and a possible confrontation with Israel.
