GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday applauded Egypt's position toward Gaza, during a meeting with visiting Egyptian Sheikh Hafez Salameh.

Haniyeh praised Egypt's role in defending the Gaza Strip during the eight-day war in November, and said Palestine would be liberated through resistance and steadfastness.

"We will not give up an inch of Palestine," the Gaza-based premier added.

"We are happy to be in Palestine, and we are happy to be with you today. We wished we could be with you during the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip," said the sheikh, who arrived Tuesday.

"We hereby tell you very honestly that we wished the battle had went on so the enemy would beg the world for protection from the resistance' missiles which some used to describe as futile," he added.

Salameh said the next battle would be to liberate Jerusalem and all of Palestine occupied in 1948, denouncing those who call for a two-state solution.