Hamas' military leader: No ceasefire until blockade lifted
In prerecorded message aired on group's official channel, Mohammed Deif, declares victory over IDF, repeats Mashal's conditions for truce.
The head of Hamas' military wing, Mohammed Deif, released a prerecorded message on the organization's official television channel bragging of a victory over the IDF. "The balance of power has changed. We have beaten the military. It is defeated."
The al-Qassam Brigades commander repeated Khaled Mashal's conditions for a halt to hostilities. "The cease fire will only happen if the aggression is ended and the blockade lifted. The Zionist entity will not enjoy security if our people do not live in freedom and with respect."
Mohammed Deif's prerecorded message on Al-Aqsa TV
A rocket salvo was fired on the Tel Aviv area from Gaza shortly after the video was released. The prerecorded message from Deif was accompanied by difficult footage from the security incident at Nahal Oz. Ynetnews will not provide a platform for such propaganda.
Deif accused the IDF of aiming on civilian targets and said the Palestinian spirit allowed for the victory over Israel. "The IDF soldiers face soldiers yearning for death. The steadfast spirit of the Palestinian people brought about the victory on the battlefield."
Deif,the 50-year-old commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, has previously survived four assassination attempts. He is believed to be the person coordinating the Palestinian campaign, while sitting inside one of Hamas' command bunkers in the Gaza Strip.
Deif has not been seen in public in several years. During Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, al-Qassam Brigades released a recording in which Deif can be heard running operations and motivating militants after his deputy, Ahmed Jabari, who also commanded the military wing, was killed by the IDF.
Roi Kais contributed to this report.
