GAZA, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Hamas movement politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh said on Friday that his movement is seeking understandings with various parties to reach calm and end the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.
Haniyeh's remarks were made as he addressed a speech from his house in Gaza city to the 10th conference of Jerusalem's Pioneers held in Turkey's Istanbul via the video.
"Today, in order to break the siege, we are seeking understandings with several parties, including Qatar, Egypt and the United Nations, understandings that could bring calm for breaking the siege," said Haniyeh.
However, he added that it "wouldn't have any political prices on the expense of the Palestinian unity between the West Bank and Gaza. Our responsibility is to ensure a dignity life for our people."
Since March 30, violence in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the Palestinians has been escalating as the Palestinians held every Friday anti-Israel marches.
Egypt, Qatar and UN Special Envoy Nickolay Mladenov are mediating a calm deal between Israel and Hamas, including relaxing the Israeli blockade and improving the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
Earlier on Thursday, Hamas said in an official emailed press statement that its leaders in Gaza have been holding dialogue and consultation with leaders of various political powers and factions on a calm deal with Israel.
At least 198 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces during the clashes since the protests started on March 30
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority oppose a calm agreement between Hamas and Israel, insisting that an internal reconciliation must first be accomplished.
Internal division between Hamas and Abbas's Fatah Party started when Hamas militia violently seized control of the Gaza Strip and routed Abbas security forces form the enclave in the summer of 2007.
