Islamic Jihad chief denounces normalisation talks with Israel

The remarks were broadcast to demonstrators in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria, who marked the 36th anniversary of the founding of the movement.

Armed and masked fighters attended the Gaza rally dressed in military style uniforms. Organizers placed two giant flags of Israel and the United States for participants to step on as they arrived at the gathering at an open-air field.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which seeks the destruction of Israel, has fought repeated battles with the Israeli military in recent years and has always rejected any political compromise. It is based in Gaza, a strip of territory controlled by Hamas, and also has foreign headquarters in Beirut and Damascus.

Al-Nakhala also condemned the Palestinian Authority, the body born out of the Oslo Accords 30 years ago, which exercises limited governance in the Occupied West Bank, as its security forces clashed briefly with Islamic Jihad fighters at a rally in the town of Tulkarm.

"Israel kills us with American weapons, and the so-called security services chase us and arrest us upon American decision, too," he said, demanding the PA release all Palestinian prisoners it held in detention.

Al-Nakhala said Islamic Jihad remained opposed not only to normalizing relations with Israel, but also to the entire peace process that started with the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt in 1978.

“We affirm that our resistance continues, and the Islamic Jihad Movement, born from the spirit of Islam, still perseveres in its path. It has not compromised and will not surrender to delusions,” he said.