Hamas vows to get more weapons into Gaza

Xinhua
January 19, 2009

http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/693/hamas-vows-to-get-more-weapons-into-gaza

The armed wing of Islamic Hamas movement al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza vowed on Monday that it would get more weapons into the Gaza Strip by its own private means.

Abu Obieda, the group's spokesman in the Gaza Strip told a news conference held in Gaza that the Islamic group armed wing, which is ruling the enclave since the summer of 2007, "would develop its rockets power and abilities."

It is the first time that the armed group is speaking in details about the results of the 23-day Israeli military air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip that began on Dec. 27 last year and ended on Jan. 18 this year.

"Our rockets powers haven't been affected by the war. Al-Qassam brigades has the abilities to launch more rockets at Jewish settlements surrounding the Gaza Strip," said Abu Obeida.

During the 23-day Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip, 1,310 Palestinians were killed and more than 5,500 wounded, most of them were civilians, women and children.

"We are still developing our rockets power and abilities, and it will be able to reach further areas. We haven't stopped our rockets attacks during the war, and our decision to stop the rockets attacks was independent," said Abu Obdeia.

Asked about the agreement to stop smuggling weapons to Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Hamas armed wing spokesman said "Since we were legally allowed to bring weapons into Gaza, we know exactly how to bring them."

Abu Obeida said that in spite of the great physical losses they had and the enclave was blocked during the offensive, "the armed resistance won this war."

"The goals that Israel wanted to achieve, such as toppling Hamas were not achieved at all," Abu Obeida added, saying that "I call on those who were clapping to Israel for its war, the goals Israel achieved was just killing women and children."

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