Hamas will move from the state of self defense to that of attacks against Israel, a Hamas political leader said on Tuesday, adding that he was told so by a senior military commander.
"A few days ago, I have met Hamas' military wing chief, Mohammed al-Def, and he told me we will start attacking Israel instead of just defending ourselves," Hamas political leader Ahmed Nimr told Hamas supporters during a rally in southern Gaza Strip. "The al-Qassam Brigades are ready now and wait the orders from the political levels to strike inside the heart of Israel, the occupation entity, if they did not stop the killings and operations in Gaza Strip," Nimr added, quoting al-Def, according to Ynet.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday warned of an impending military operation in the Gaza Strip against Hamas and rocket infrastructure. "Every day that passes brings us closer to a broad operation in Gaza," Barak told reporters in northern Israel, according to AFP.
"We are not happy about it and we would be happy if circumstances would prevent it, but the day is definitely nearing," he said.
On Tuesday evening, Palestinians fired a barrage of some 10 mortars that landed south of the coastal town of Ashkelon, causing no casualties or damage.
