By KUNA,
Ramallah : Hamas on Thursday considered the decision of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to step down from political life a blow to the group tasked with reaching a political settlement in the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told reporters in Gaza that the declaration of Olmert to step down from office is a blow to the group, which links its destiny to settlement plans and the presumption of achieving a Palestinian state at the end of this year.
Abu Zuhri pointed out that the decision was a sharp indicator of the state of deterioration and retreat experienced by the occupying power against the growing strength of Hamas and the Palestinian resistance and adherence of the Palestinian people to their rights in the face of occupation.
Olmert announced yesterday he would not compete for leadership of Kadima party during internal elections scheduled for mid-September.