VIDEO - “If any of Hamas’ leaders are harmed, Israel
canforget about Gilad Shalit," said Saturday a spokesman for the Islamist group’s armed wing, the Izz el-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
Speaking to reporters just a few hours after another IDF aerial attack ona Hamas position in Gaza left five Palestinians dead, Abu Obaida said, "Suicide bombings in Israel are just a matter of time and proper conditions…we can fire rockets even beyond Ashkelon, and we will resume the suicide bombings and kidnappings."
According to the Hamas spokesman, the Israeli attacks will “not stop the Palestinian resistance responsible for manufacturing the Qassams”.
The Izz el-Din al-Qassam Brigades promised an “earth-shattering” response should Israel target Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh or any other senior Hamas member.
“The Zionist enemy must realize one thing and that is that it can forget about the soldier Shalit if it harms one of Hamas’ political or military leaders,” Abu Obaida said, adding that his group is in possession of advanced weapons that “will be used against Israel sooner or later”.
Haniyeh addressed the Israeli army's continued attacks in the Gaza Strip, saying, "The bombardments indicate Israel's national and security crisis and moral bankruptcy. The IDF attacks will fail against the unity and resistance of the Palestinian people."