Why Gaza's Called 'Hamastan'

Mahmoud Al-Zahhar is the co-founder and one of the leaders of the Hamas regime in Gaza. Recently, he gave a clear, unbridled explanation of Hamas's goals in a recent interview with an Egyptian newspaper.

Middle East Media Research Institute recorded this interivew. It's a powerful reminder of why the Gaza Strip is now called "Hamastan."

Here's an excerpt of his interview. Click here to watch the clip:

"We have liberated Gaza, but have we recognized Israel? Have we given up our lands occupied in 1948? We demand the liberation of the West Bank, and the establishment of a state in the West Bank and Gaza, with Jerusalem as its capital – but without recognizing [Israel]. This is the key – without recognizing the Israeli enemy on a single inch of land.

"This is our plan for this stage – to liberate the West Bank and Gaza, without recognizing Israel’s right to a single inch of land, and without giving up the Right of Return for a single Palestinian refugee.

"Our plan for this stage is to liberate any inch of Palestinian land, and to establish a state on it. Our ultimate plan is [to have] Palestine in its entirety. I say this loud and clear so that nobody will accuse me of employing political tactics. We will not recognize the Israeli enemy."