国际英语新闻：Former U.S. president calls for including Hamas in Mideast peace process

DAMASCUS, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter Tuesday urged including the Islamic Hamas movement in the Mideast peace process, saying the attempts to isolate and punish the Hamas is the root of humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip.

He made the remarks during a press conference held here by visiting international Elders conflicts resolution delegation led by former Irish President Mary Robinson.

"We have 1.5 million people in prison with all of their human rights taken away," Carter said, adding "we believe that Hamas must be included in the peace process because there will be no peace without Hamas which is an integral part of the Palestinian community."

The delegation told a press conference in Gaza on Saturday that allowing the five-year Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip is a "shame on the world".

The Elders delegation arrived in Damascus on Monday from Gaza and met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad early Monday before talking with Hamas leaders living in the Syrian capital.

Israel has been imposing a tight sea and ground blockade on the 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip right after Hamas controlled the territory since 2006.