Alqassam brigades of Hamas warns of an Israeli invasion of Gaza

Wednesday October 08, 2008 17:30 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC & Agencies

The Alqassam brigades, the military wing of the ruling Hamas party in Gaza, warned on Wednesday of an imminent Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, given notable Israeli military exercises to the east of the Strip.

Israeli tanks operating in Gaza

In a statement emailed to press, spokesman of the brigades, called Abu Obaida, said that underway Israeli military exercises on the Israeli side of Gaza-Israel border lines indicate Israel's 'aggressive/criminal intentions'.

Abu Obaida responded to an Israeli military spokesman's remarks that such trainings are conducted for defense purposes, as ' ironical', saying that the upcoming days would likely reveal the real purposes for such exercises.

He also preserved what he called the Palestinian resistance's right to defend any Israeli attack on the coastal region , despite a ceasefire deal, brokered four months ago by Egypt.

" the occupation will pay a very heavy price if it dares to attack Gaza", Abu Obaida warned.

Early this week, Israeli army spokesman, Afihai Der'y, announced that the Israeli troops would begin military exercises near the Gaza Strip, explaining that such trainings are for defense purposes.

In June of this year, the ruling Hamas party in Gaza agreed to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire deal with Israel, stipulating halt of Israeli army attacks on Gaza and lifting a 17-month-old blockade, in return for stopping Qassam homemade shells fire onto Israel.

gaza strip | israeli attacks | news report rami at imemc dot org