Hamas 'now engaged in a political battle', says leader

Gaza: A senior member of the Islamist Hamas leadership which went underground when Israel launched its offensive aa month ago appeared in public on Friday to address a rally.

Khalil Al Hayya, one of three survivors of the top five Hamas leaders, told supporters the group had achieved victory in the war and was now engaged in a political battle.

"We promised to come out to you either as martyrs or as victors," Hayya told supporters. "Today I come out to you and you are victors."

Hamas leader Esmail Haniyah had given an interview to Al Quds television on Thursday from an undisclosed location, and remains in seclusion.

Al Hayya tried to reassure Palestinians whose houses had been destroyed by Israel. "The reconstruction is coming, do not be worried about that," he said.

"I tell the resistance fighters, I tell the Qassam fighters, do not drop your weapons, do not put your weapons aside and do not abandon your trenches," Al Hayya said.

"I assure our people that the leaders who led the battle of victory are now leading the battle of politics. We are still in the midst of the battle and we are engaging politically," he said.

Hamas had not yielded on its demands that the Israeli blockade of the Gaza enclave be lifted and Gaza's borders opened to normal trade, he said.

Al Hayya reaffirmed his group's demands to conclude a prisoner swap with Israel that would see the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for the return of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, captured in Gaza in 2006.

Israel has said Gaza's border crossings will not be opened until Shalit is returned.