"To send a message to the occupation forces that we are ready for any
attack, Izzedin Kassam Brigades conducted a military maneuver on Sept. 14,"
Hamas said.
Over the last week, several Israeli ministers have raised the prospect
of an invasion of the Gaza Strip. On Sept. 11, 69 Israeli soldiers were
injured in a Palestinian missile strike on an Israeli military base south of
Ashkelon.
Over the weekend, Israel's military operated in all sectors of the Gaza
Strip. The military has used infantry forces, aircraft and naval surface
vessels.
The Palestinian exercise in Beit Lahiya was led by Nizar Rayan,
identified as Hamas military commander of the northern Gaza Strip. Rayan
vowed that Hamas would not flee any Israel military advance.
The drill, attended by journalists, presented Hamas fighters in squad
operations. Squad members, dressed in black ski masks and camouflage,
fired rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire toward houses and other
targets.
Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida said the Palestinian army has been
on full alert for any Israeli invasion. Abu Obeida said Hamas was monitoring
Israeli military movements along the Gaza border.
"We are witnessing a buildup along the borders of the Zionist sector
[Israel] and the willingness of aggression amid the great conspiracy,
internal, external and Arab silence," Abu Obeida said. "We in Izzedin Kassam
Brigades have prepared a defense plan for the Gaza Strip."
