CAIRO: The exiled leader of Hamas said on Wednesday that if Israel complied with the ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, Palestinians would as well but they would respond to any Israeli violation.

Khaled Meshaal, leader of the Islamist Hamas, speaking in Cairo after the truce was announced by the Egyptians, said: “If Israel complies, we are compliant. If it does not comply, our hands are on the trigger.”

At a news conference, Mr Meshaal also thanked Egypt for helping mediate the ceasefire and praised Iran for providing Gazans with financing and arms.

“We have come out of this battle with our heads up high,” he said, adding that Israel had been defeated and failed in its “adventure”.—Reuters