Palestine Ready for Third Intifada Against Israeli Occupation – Official

Abu Ahmad Fouad, of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, said that the Palestian people are ready for a third intifada.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Palestine is ready to stage a third uprising, or intifada, against the Israeli occupation, a senior Palestinian official said Friday.

"A third intifada will certainly happen. The Palestinian people are ready for such an uprising… Most of the forces leaders think that we must offer armed resistance within our capabilities," Abu Ahmad Fouad, of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, said during a media conference held at the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency.

The First Intifada lasted for over six years until September 1993 and saw more than 2,000 Palestinians and 160 Israelis killed.

The Second Intifada began in September 2000 and ended in February 2005. More than 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis were killed during the conflict. It also led to Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, which was completed in September 2005.

Palestinians seek the creation of an independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, partially occupied by Israel, since 1967.

Israel refuses to recognize a Palestinian state and has constructed settlements on the occupied territories, despite protests by the international community.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not allow the creation of a Palestinian state ahead of his Likud party's victory in the Israeli elections on Tuesday.