Hamas Responds to Netanyahu’s Threats: Killing will be Met with Killing
Arab World
Ramallah- Kifah Zboun
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to assassinate top Hamas and Islamic Jihad officials in the Gaza Strip if the escalations continued, warning that every incendiary balloon is considered a missile. Speaking before the Negev Lobby, Netanyahu announced that he informed the heads of local councils in the area adjacent to the Strip of his absolute “commitment to security.” “We are now relating to every fire – fires are like rockets. We have been hitting and striking at Hamas on a daily basis, for the past eleven nights straight. If necessary, we will do much more. They need to understand that what happened last time will happen to them now twofold, to them and to the Islamic Jihad.” He asserted that Israel is ready to use all means, including targeted counter-measures, if things develop, adding that Hamas has an interest in allowing normal life on its side and Israel will not allow the absence of normal life on its side. “Therefore, this commitment is genuine and I am certain that it will also bear fruit in the coming days.” Netanyahu has previously warned on a return to the policy of assassinations in Gaza during a meeting with the heads of the local council in the area adjacent to the Strip. Hamas responded immediately to his threats saying it was ready to fight. “Our hands are on the trigger, bombing will be met with bombing, missiles will be met with missiles, killing will be met with killing." Senior Hamas Official Khalil al-Haya downplayed Netanyahu's threats. Hamas escalated the situation last week by launching incendiary balloons towards Israel and activating night demonstrations. Israel responded by carrying out raids and imposing punitive measures by preventing the entry of fuel into Gaza, which further deepened the Strip's crisis. In an effort to contain the situation, the Egyptian delegation held intensive talks in Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Gaza. The delegation faced intransigence from Israel and Hamas, after Tel Aviv refused to meet any demands before Hamas ended the escalation, while the movement rejected to stop before its demands were met. On Monday, Hamas met with the Egyptian intelligence officials. The movement informed the envoy about its demands, which include Israel’s approval to implement economic infrastructure projects, permitting imports and exports, increasing work permits to 100,000 for Gazan workers in Israel, expanding the fishing area to 20 nautical miles, and keeping Kerem Shalom commercial crossing opened. As the situation worsened, Qatar has also intensified its contacts with Israel and Hamas to contain the situation. Qatari envoy Mohammad al-Emadi said on Wednesday that Qatari efforts are being exerted to contain the escalation in the Strip along with its attempts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave. He called upon the UN, the international community, and all sides to commit to obligations in providing support to Gazans.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2459201/hamas-responds-netanyahu%E2%80%99s-threats-killing-will-be-met-killing
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