By Xinhua,
Gaza : An armed wing of the Hamas movement on Sunday said it deals seriously with Israel’s threats of invading the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
“All the necessary measures to face this possibility were taken,” said Abu Obaida, a spokesman for Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas.
The armed wing believes that “the military operation against Gaza has become imminent and so the Palestinian resistance has completed its preparations,” he said, adding that the offensive may include “air strikes on Hamas targets and limited incursions on the ground.”
However, he ruled out the invasion of the whole Strip.
On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Israel is likely to launch act against Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip before ceasefire agreement can be reached.
Hamas believes the threats are a result of pressure on the Israeli government by extremist settlers and in preparation for possible elections in Israel, given its Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s criminal probe.
If the offensive starts, Hamas will not accept a ceasefire with Israel, the spokesman said, referring to an Egyptian-brokered lull between the two sides.
Israel imposed a closure on the Gaza Strip and stepped up attacks after Hamas seized control of the territories a year ago.