Sources have stated that Palestinian militant group Hamas has expressed happiness at the death of former Israeli President Shimon Peres and a spokesman for the group, Sami Abu Zuhri, has told the Associated Press Wednesday, "the Palestinian people are very happy at the passing of this criminal who caused their blood to shed."
He has added that, "Shimon Peres was the last remaining Israeli official who founded the occupation, and his death is the end of a phase in the history of this occupation and the beginning of a new phase of weakness."
Vatican spokesman Greg Burke has said that pope will not be able to attend Friday's funeral in Jerusalem, noting that he is scheduled to begin a three-day trip to Georgia and Azerbaijan that day.
Bill Clinton has said in a statement that "Israel has lost a leader who championed its security, prosperity, and limitless possibilities from its birth to his last day on earth and the Middle East has lost a fervent advocate for peace and reconciliation and for a future where all the children of Abraham build a better tomorrow together.
