Speaking to Lebanon’s Arabic-language Al Mayadeen TV, Mahmoud al-Zahar denounced the recent Israeli threats against Palestinians, saying that the Zionist regime is trying to calm down Israeli settlers.
He said an Israeli aggression on Gaza is not unlikely, adding, “we do not want it but if a war is imposed on us, we will harshly respond to that.”
The Hamas leader further highlighted the power of the resistance group, saying the equations of deterrence have changed and Hamas has become part of the Axis of Resistance in the region.
Last week, a spokesman for Hamas movement’s armed wing al-Qassam Brigades had said that his group would carry on with preparations and boosting its power for any possible battle with Israel.
Abu Obeida’s remarks were made in a rally held in Gaza to honor seven Hamas fighters found dead last Thursday under a military underground tunnel that collapsed earlier in the northeastern part of Gaza City.
“The Palestinian armed resistance has the right to prepare and boost its power in preparations for any upcoming war with the Israeli occupation,” Abu Obeida told the rally.