Hamas leader vows to continue struggle against Israel

Mohammad Deif, leader of Hamas's armed wing, on Tuesday broke a two-year silence with a new vow to continue battle until "victory" over Israel. The new comments by Mohammed Deif were published at a Hamas Web site. Hamas said his call to battle was part of a new book glorifying comrades killed in fighting with Israel. Hamas and Israel have been observing a truce since June, but the group says it was increasing its combat training in preparation for future fighting. 

While Egyptian efforts to stop weapons smuggling into Gaza have increased in recent weeks, Hamas is still continuing the illegal operations at a rapid pace, senior security officials told the Jerusalem Post earlier this week, as Defence Minister Ehud Barak visited Alexandria for talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Yuval Diskin told the Knesset three weeks ago that Hamas was using the lull in violence since the cease-fire to smuggle new and advanced weaponry into Gaza which will extend the range of their rockets to encompass Ashdod as well.

Back to top Previous article Next article