Dozens of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip took part in marches rejecting a US draft resolution before the United Nations General Assembly to vote condemning the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) while the Palestinian presidency called for a vote against the draft resolution.

The participants in the marches - called by the national and Islamic forces in Gaza - raised flags of Palestine and banners rejecting the American draft resolution.

In a speech on the factions participating in the march, the leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Jamil Mezher, considered that the American project "falls under the continuous targeting of the people and the resistance."

"The draft resolution is a dangerous development in confronting the people with the American-Zionist project, and opens another confrontation with the international institution, which is still dependent on American pressure," Mezher said.

He pointed out that the Palestinian factions considered the American draft resolution void. "The Palestinian people have the right to resist occupation by all means, including armed resistance."

"We must make the United States reconsider its calculations by raising the cost of the occupation and uniting to confront it," said Talal Abu Zarifa, a leader of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Hamas' response
For its part, Hamas considered the US draft resolution to condemn it "Israeli excellence." "The current US administration is working in partnership with the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people and its just cause," said spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanoua in a statement.

He urged the countries of the world to thwart the American draft resolution to "redress the Palestinian people and not be dragged behind the unjust US administration or align with it."

Earlier on Thursday, Palestinian factions condemned the draft resolution, saying that "the biased resolution of the occupation aims to criminalize Palestinian resistance movements and stigmatize terrorism."

Palestinian president calls on world nations to vote against US draft resolution (Reuters)

The presidency rejects
For its part, the Palestinian presidency called on the Member States of the United Nations General Assembly to vote against the American draft resolution.

The Presidency said in a statement that it is in constant contact with the Arab and Islamic Group and many friendly countries in order to work to foil the draft resolution.

Condemn the resistance
The draft resolution, presented by US Ambassador Nicky Haley, condemned Hamas for repeatedly launching rockets into Israel and inciting violence, endangering the lives of civilians.

The text calls on Hamas and other entities, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, to stop all provocations and violent activities, including the use of incendiary vehicles.

If approved, it would be the first UN condemnation of Hamas, though not legally binding.

Diplomats considered the US draft a personal project for Niki Hailey (Al Jazeera)

Personal project
In recent days, the United States has put pressure on rare EU support from the European Union.

Diplomats said Nicky Hailey, who provides unconditional support for Israel, has made Hamas's condemnation a "very personal issue." One of them said she wanted to leave the United Nations after something had been done.