GAZA CITY, 18 May 2008 — The Palestinian militant groups said yesterday that they are ready to face any Israeli military operation in Gaza Strip. Their statements came after reports said that Israel is considering an escalation of military attacks into the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Abu Obida, the spokesman of Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said “I think that the occupation is unable to carry out any large-scale ground operation but it could target our homes and assassinate people from the air.” He added that the way to Gaza will not be garnished with flowers.
In the same context, the Popular Resistance Committees said yesterday that the threat of “Zionists” continued aggression against the Palestinian people in the besieged Gaza Strip will be faced by more steadfastness and resistance strikes inside Israel.
Abu Mujahed, the spokesman of Al-Naser Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, said “resistance options are many, multiple and open. If the Zionist enemy tried tampering in the Gaza Strip, then it will be faced by unexpected resistance strikes.” He added that the “Zionist enemy” has no ability to stop the resistance. Earlier this week, the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot reported that the Israeli military is considering assassinating senior resistance leaders affiliated to Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Recently, Israel’s Army’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, dropped his opposition to a ground offensive in Gaza, security official said.
The Islamic Jihad movement, which is considered as the second largest Islamist force in the Gaza Strip, said it was ready to face any aggression or invasion against the Strip. Abu Ahmed, a spokesman of Al-Quds Brigades, said “the Brigades along with other factions will be fully prepared to defend the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by all means.”
In a new violence yesterday, Israeli troops arrested ten Palestinians during an invasion carried out in Al-Showka village southeast of Rafah city in the southern of the Gaza Strip.
Local sources and witnesses said that seven Israeli tanks and four bulldozers backed by warplanes rolled into Al-Showka village early yesterday and leveled vast arable lands in addition to destroying seven chicken farms. They added that the soldiers broke into some houses in the area, searched them and arrested ten residents.
