Hamas: Israel will pay high price for entering Gaza

Against the backdrop of recent reports of a resumption of negotiations for the release of captive soldier Gilad Shalit, Hamas' Mahmoud al-Zahar held a summit for the organization's security arms and took advantage of the opportunity to send a threatening message to Israel.

"You will pay a high price for entering Gaza", al-Zahar said. "Israelis should think twice before making that decision."

Later he made it clear to his opponents in the Fatah and the Palestinian Authority that "signing an appeasement agreement between Palestinian factions would not mean that the Strip would once again be run by the Palestinian Authority."

Al-Zahar noted that the Arab League Security Committee would be the organization that would oversee the implementation of any agreement, when one is reached.

The senior Hamas man also made it clear that "Hamas has the right to arm itself with whatever weapons it can obtain in order to defend the Palestinian nation," and once again attacked the PA leadership for negotiating with Israel: "This is an adventure that comes at the expense of the Palestinians."

Also speaking on the subject of negotiations with Israel, and the deadlock, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced Thursday that in light of Israel's unilateral decision on the settlements, he will act accordingly and turn to the UN Security Council in order to declare independence.

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