Hamas condemns Pittsburgh synagogue attack

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The leader of Gaza's ruling Hamas movement, Ismail Haniya, tells thouands of Muslim worshippers an end to Israel's more than decade-long blockade is "around the corner", as talk of a possible truce deal intensifes
The leader of Gaza's ruling Hamas movement, Ismail Haniya, tells thouands of Muslim worshippers an end to Israel's more than decade-long blockade is "around the corner", as talk of a possible truce deal intensifesAnas BABA (AFP)

Hamas condemned Saturday's deadly attack on a synagogue in Pittsburgh which saw 11 people killed in a statement on Sunday.

Hamas official Basem Naim said we are “sorry to hear about the terror attack. As Palestinians and victims of the terror of Israeli occupation, we know the meaning of terror and its horrific outcomes,” Naim said.

“This heinous attack, especially in a place of worship, proves that terror has no religion or nationality,” he concluded.

The shooter who stormed a synagogue in Pittsburgh during a baby-naming ceremony and gunned down 11 people on Saturday, reportedly told police that Jews were carrying out a genocide against “his people” and that he wanted them all to die, a charging document revealed on Sunday.

The suspect -- identified as a 46-year-old Robert Bowers -- reportedly yelled "all Jews must die" as he sprayed bullets into the Tree of Life synagogue during Sabbath services on Saturday before exchanging fire with police, in an attack that also wounded six people.

Meanwhile, the Muslim-American community raised $58,000 as of Sunday for the victims of the attack.

“The Muslim-American community extends its hands to help the shooting victims, whether it is the injured victims or the Jewish families who have lost loved ones,” the fundraising page said.

“We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action,” it added.

The two American Muslim NGOs, CelebrateMercy and MPower Change is aiming at raising $75,000 for the Pittsburgh Jewish community.

The money will help the victims with  funeral expenses and medical bills.

The Tree of Life Synagogue, whose congregation was founded more than 150 years ago, is located in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood that is historically the heart of Jewish life in greater Pittsburgh.

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