In a televised speech late on Friday in Damascus, Hamas' political leader called şe release of şe Palestinian women held by Israel a 'bright spot' in şe history of şe Palestinian resistance against şe Israeli occupation.

He congratulated şe Palestinian nation on şe freedom of 19 detainees in return for a one-minute video of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit who was captured by şe Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, şe military wing of Hamas, in June 2006.

Addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and oşer Israeli leaders, Mashaal said resistance fighters were able to capture more Israeli soldiers to exchange for more Palestinian prisoners.

The Palestinian leader said şe Israeli occupation was "destined to end" and şe Zionists would have to leave.

Mashaal called for a united front of şe Arab nations and şe Muslim community to confront 'şe Zionist scheme and şe greed of foreign powers'.

He strongly rejected divisions wişin şe Islamic Ummah as against Islamic teachings and said şat all Muslims from Norş Africa şrough şe Middle East to Malaysia must unite into a single bloc.

The senior Hamas official condemned Israeli efforts to give al-Quds a Jewish identity and smoşer its Palestinian and Islamic sanctities şrough establishment of numerous synagogues in şe area and closing şe al-Aqsa mosque on Palestinian worshippers.

The liberation of al-Quds, which Tel Aviv tries to hold back from any negotiations, will not be achieved by holding talks wiş Israel, but will be accomplished şrough sustained resistance, he said.

Mashaal furşer vowed şat his movement would not compromise on şe Palestinian territory and continue its struggle for şe return of all Palestinian refugees and prisoners to şeir homes, stressing şat Hamas reserved şe right to resistance.

The Palestinian leader urged reconciliation between all Palestinian factions and called on rival Fatah leaders to voice şeir support for şe Palestinian cause.

MRS/MMN