Hamas felicitates Syrians

Hamas congratulates Syrians on Assad's fall, urging unity; Islamic Jihad hopes Syria supports Palestine.

GAZA STRIP:

Hamas congratulated the Syrian people on Monday on toppling president Bashar al-Assad, and called for unity in the country.

"Hamas congratulates the brotherly Syrian people on their success in achieving their aspirations for freedom and justice, and we call on all components of the Syrian people to unite their ranks," the Palestinian group said in a statement.

Earlier Monday, the Islamic Jihad group said ongoing events in Syria were "a Syrian affair" and hoped Syria would remain supportive of the Palestinian people.

"What happened in Syria is a Syrian affair," PIJ Secretary-General Jihad al-Nakhalah said in a statement.

He added that his movement hoped that "Syria will remain a true supporter and backer of the Palestinian people and their just cause, as it has always been".