Zahar: Israel failed to achieve goals in Gaza invasion

Zahar: Israel failed to achieve goals in Gaza invasion
Date: 03 / 03 / 2008 Time: 15:34
Gaza – Ma'an -

The massive Israeli incursion in the Gaza Strip failed thanks to the Palestinian resistance groups which countered Israeli attacks against children, women and the elderly, senior Hamas leader Mahomoud Zahar said in a press conference in Gaza City on Monday.

Speaking following a Hamas-organized demonstration, he said, "The Israeli operation came to an end before reaching the desired end of stopping homemade projectiles being launched from Gaza at Israeli towns."

Hundreds of Hamas members participated in a rally in Gaza City in support of the Palestinian military organizations that confronted the five-day Israeli invasion in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip.

Zahar also warned Israel of any attempts to assassinate Hamas leaders affirming that the movement will implement its "resistance programs" without alteration.

He also appealed to Egypt to open the Rafah crossing and receive Palestinians who were injured during the latest Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip. He applauded the Arab and Islamic people who took to the streets to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, as well as the media outlets which covered the battle in Jabalia.

Speaking about the Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza since 2006, Zahar said, "Gilad Shalit will not be released unless Israel accepts all our stipulations without exceptions."

Hamas: Zionist defeat in Jabalia heralds failure of ground offensive

[ 03/03/2008 - 10:16 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

The Hamas Movement on Monday asserted that the retreat of the IOF troops from Jabalia earlier today heralded the failure of any possible IOF ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, told a press conference in Gaza city that the Zionist defeat east of Jabalia in face of the resistance fighters indicated that any future IOF offensive would end in absolute failure.

He said that the IOF command was trying to make up for its defeat through escalating air strikes that result in "bloody massacres on civilians including women and children".

"The massacres will boost our determination to confront aggression and to protect the Palestinian people," he underlined, adding that Israeli premier Ehud Olmert should study the lesson of his soldiers' defeat before the Qassam Brigades.

Despite the heavy price the Palestinians are paying, the IOF war would fail in achieving its targets and would not break the people's determination, the spokesman emphasized.

Abu Zuhri said that the leakage of news that Olmert had sanctioned the assassination of Hamas leaders would not terrorize Hamas, and warned the Israeli occupation government of reprisals if it embarked on any such "foolishness".

He denounced the continued official Arab silence vis-à-vis such bloodbaths, and urged the Arab masses to hit the streets in angry demonstrations against the American-baked Israeli genocide.

The Hamas spokesman charged that the world community was involved in the IOF crimes against the Palestinian people through its silence and/or attempts to justify them.

The images of murder and destruction inflicted by the IOF incursion reflect the "Nazism of occupation and spur our people to defend themselves with all means", he elaborated.

Abu Zuhri said that the IOF aggression did not stop and the genocide is still ongoing as air raids take place every few minutes, but asserted that any ground invasion of Gaza would not be met with flowers but will be faced with stiff resistance.

Fawzi Barhoum, another Hamas spokesman, said that the "great victory" achieved by resistance against the invading troops proved that resistance is the only option capable of protecting the Palestinian people after failure of negotiations.

The Israeli onslaught that started on Wednesday has resulted in the death of 116 Palestinians and the wounding of 350 others.

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