Hamas pledges to respond to any Israeli strike
Hamas spokesman blames Israel for thwarting efforts to reach prisoner exchange; holds key to Gilad Shalit's release
A spokesman for Hamas in Gaza, Fawzi Barhoum, told Ynet that Shalit was in good condition, but stressed that the situation can only be resolved if Israel accepts the deal offered by Hamas.
Referring to the recent escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, Barhoum warned that any Israeli military incursion will prompt a strong counter-response. "Any foolish act, any Israeli mistake, any attempt to strike in Gaza will lead to a harsh response by Hamas and the Palestinian organizations. We'll respond strongly to Israel's aggression."
While the Hamas government is making efforts to gain international recognition, the movement carries out missile attacks against Israel. You are effectively acting against your own government.
"I reject this perspective. We do not embarrass the Palestinian government nor cause it to fail. Those who bear the responsibility for what happened yesterday (the Qassam attacks on Sderot), those who started with the killing and destruction, those who slaughter in Jenin and the West Bank and continue with the arrests and razing of houses are the Israeli occupiers.
"The Israelis continue to ask for, and receive, American support for their aggressive policy; we only just heard that $65 million have been earmarked for purchasing smart bombs for Israel. It's clear to us that these bombs are primarily meant for attacking the Strip. We repeatedly warned that if the Israeli aggression continues, all parties involved would carry the responsibility for the consequences."
You warned Tuesday that any Israeli operation in Gaza would endanger Gilad Shalit's life. How serious is this threat?
"It would not be serious to link the security matters and the dangers facing the Strip to the Shalit issue. We are talking about an entire nation that is under the threat of an Israeli invasion. This invasion will not risk Shalit; it jeopardizes the entire Palestinian people. Therefore the world must start acting before it's too late."
Is Hamas interested in an escalation, like your actions indicate, or a ceasefire, like your government declares?
"Since the beginning of the year we remained committed to a halt in rocket fire, but what has happened since? Hundreds of Palestinians casualties and a world that is indifferent to the ongoing Israeli massacre. This massacre continued in the last days with the killing of 10 Palestinians in Jenin, including a little girl. Therefore, in this situation it is our right to respond, and what happened yesterday was part of our natural response."
Israel held a military discussion about the situation this morning. Are you preparing for the possibility of an Israeli operation in the Strip?
"The Israelis don't need an excuse to strike the Strip. They've been talking about this for a long time. They want to carry on with the blockade, not recognize the Palestinian government and in effect destroy all the infrastructures of the Palestinian people."
The security establishment in Israel says that the Gaza Strip is becoming, like south Lebanon was, a workshop and warehouse for weapons.
"The Israelis have most probably learned from the American lies, who said, over and over, that Iraq had nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and they found almost no weapon development. Israel is implementing the same policy and they must beware of the American lies and their implications. Israel wants to destroy the Strip and the prospect for sovereignty, so they use these lies."
Uneasy feelings are prevalent in Israel owing to the fact that you will not allow the Red Cross to visit Gilad Shalit, as Palestinian prisoners are allowed.
"Why do we need these procedures? Why don't we have a prisoner exchange deal? What is needed is Israeli initiative. The key to Gilad Shali
t's release is in the hands of Israel.
"Instead of discussing these issues, we could quickly reach a deal. All that is needed is for Israel to agree to release prisoners in accordance to the draft we agreed upon with the Egyptians. It shouldn't take so long. But it is the Israelis who are not truly interested in assuring the prisoner's safety and soothing those who worry about him. With their policy and stubbornness, they are frustrating our efforts."
