Hamas: We’ll kidnap soldiers
Terror group leader Mahmoud Zahar says Hamas will pursue 'policy' of kidnappings to see release of Palestinian terrorists from jail
The Hamas terror organization has repeated threats to kidnap Israeli soldiers as part of its attempt to release Palestinian security prisoners.
“We will free our Palestinian prisoners by kidnapping IDF soldiers,” warned senior Hamas member Mahmoud Zahar.
“The kidnapping of Israeli soldiers by the al-Qassam Brigades will guarantee the release of our prisoners,” added Zahar, who was speaking during a Hamas convention in Gaza’s Khan Younis region.
Zahar said that Hamas won’t accept any situation in which Israel controls border crossings in Gaza, and especially in Rafah. “We’ve made it clear to the Egyptian intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, that the al-Qassam Brigades will strike the Zionist soldiers in order to clear the crossing from their presence. All options are open to our fighters,” he said.
Zahar said that Hamas would not disarm despite the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
“These weapons will respond to every Israeli transgression, and they will resist the enemy if it thinks of invading Gaza. We won’t give up the rights of the Palestinian people, no matter what the price and sacrifice is.”
The Palestinian Authority was also attacked by Zahar, who complained of its corruption, and blamed the anarchical security situation in Palestinian territories on the Authority.
Zahar said that Hamas would undertake a comprehensive reform program, and would demand an end to provocations and bribery among the Palestinian government offices.
