The exiled political leader of Hamas has called for an Arab summit to establish a timeline for Palestinian statehood.
Speaking Thursday in the Syrian capital, Damascus, Khaled Mashaal said a Palestinian state should extend to Israel's borders as they existed before the six-day war in 1967.
Mashaal, who lives in Syria in exile, also repeated Hamas' long-held position it will not recognize Israel.
And he blamed Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for delaying the release of an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit kidnapped by Palestinian gunmen in June. Mashaal criticized Mr. Olmert for turning down a Palestinian proposal to free the Israeli soldier in exchange for the release of many Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
On Thursday, Israel rejected Hamas demands to exchange the captive soldier for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Since the soldier was captured, Israel has carried out a major offensive in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources say an Israeli airstrike Thursday killed at least two people and wounded about 10 others in Gaza City -- hours after six Palestinians died in a clash with Israeli troops.
The Israeli army confirmed the airstrike and said it targeted the house of a senior leader from the armed wing of Hamas. Witnesses say the man survived the attack.
Israel, the European Union and the United States consider Hamas a terrorist organization.
Speaking Thursday in the Syrian capital, Damascus, Khaled Mashaal said a Palestinian state should extend to Israel's borders as they existed before the six-day war in 1967.
Mashaal, who lives in Syria in exile, also repeated Hamas' long-held position it will not recognize Israel.
And he blamed Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for delaying the release of an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit kidnapped by Palestinian gunmen in June. Mashaal criticized Mr. Olmert for turning down a Palestinian proposal to free the Israeli soldier in exchange for the release of many Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
On Thursday, Israel rejected Hamas demands to exchange the captive soldier for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Since the soldier was captured, Israel has carried out a major offensive in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources say an Israeli airstrike Thursday killed at least two people and wounded about 10 others in Gaza City -- hours after six Palestinians died in a clash with Israeli troops.
The Israeli army confirmed the airstrike and said it targeted the house of a senior leader from the armed wing of Hamas. Witnesses say the man survived the attack.
Israel, the European Union and the United States consider Hamas a terrorist organization.