13 August-Hamas flexes its muscles (Haaretz)

In a direct challenge to the Palestinian Authority, the Hamas leadership positioned itself in front of the group's logo and a green Islamic flag to send a message that they have the right to possess weapons and to claim responsibility for pushing Israel out of the Gaza Strip. Flanked by four Hamas founders, Ismail Haniyye, a top Hamas leader told reporters in a Gaza City restaurant that the group will not lay down their guns.
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"Hamas remains committed to the choice of resistance as a strategic choice. Hamas remains committed to its military wing and its right to possess weapons," Haniyye said. On Saturday, Hamas made clear that although it does not plan to battle with the PA, but will not accept PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement as the sole decision-making body in the government. "Hamas is not a replacement for anyone. It is not a power within the Palestinian Authority and it is not confronting it. But Hamas rejects the idea of allowing any party to monopolize decision-making process," Haniyye said.The Hamas news conference comes just a day after the PA held its first official celebration - with the attendance of Abbas - of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements.