Post date: Jan 11, 2014 4:35:40 PM
Palestinians describe former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon as a "criminal" and "tyrant", following his death in hospital.
GAZA CITY, GAZA (JANUARY 11, 2014) (REUTERS) - Palestinians expressed happiness and relief following news that former Israeli Prime MinisterAriel Sharon died on Saturday (January 11).
Sharon, who was reviled by Arab foes over generations of conflict, died eight years after suffering a massive stroke.Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri, whose party has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007 welcomed the news.
"The death of Sharon after eight years of being in coma is something from God and an example to all tyrants. Our Palestinian people are living a historic moments with the death of this criminal whose his hands are stained with the bloods of our people and leaders," he said.
Gaza residents also shared similar sentiments.
"We are overwhelmed with joy, because this is man who was a tyrant - who killed children, the elderly and women and defiled with his feet al-Aqsa mosque," said Nasser Estawee, a resident in Gaza.
Palestinians accuse Sharon of sparking their Second "Intifada" with a provocative visit to the al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City.
"This criminal's death for us is a cause for celebration," added another Gaza resident, Mohamed Al-Farra.
In the West Bank City of Ramallah Wasel Abu Yousef, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, said that the Palestinians will remember him for "his crimes against the Palestinian people".
"He tried by using the weapon to uproot the Palestinian nation again from his land. He gave an order to the settlers to occupy the hills of the Palestinian West Bank to prevent the establishment of the Palestinian state," said Abu Yousef.
In the West Bank city of Hebron, Palestinian residents in the market thanked God for his death.
"As any Palestinian I am happy," said Hebron resident Fawaz Al Karaky.
"May God realise the death of all those who are like him and thank God for taking him and relieving us of him," said Najee Al Tawil, another Hebron resident.
Sharon left major historical footprints on the Middle East through military invasion, Jewish settlement-building on occupied land the Palestinians seek for a state but also a shock, unilateral decision to withdraw from the Gaza Strip in 2005.
He died at Sheba Medical Center, near Tel Aviv, where he has been in a coma since being hit by a stroke at the pinnacle of his power as prime minister in January 2006. Doctors there had reported a precipitous decline in his condition last week.