Islamic Hamas movement on Wednesday said its fighters are ready to confront Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip if the Jewish state carried out its threats to attack the coastal enclave.
"We only have fire to receive the arrogant enemy and it will find nothing in Gaza but resistance," Abu Obaida, spokesman for Hamas' military wing, told reporters.
Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam brigades of Hamas "and all the honest fighters are dealing seriously with any Zionist threat," Abu Obaida added.
Abu Obaida's remarks followed statements by the Israeli army chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi on Tuesday that the army's next battle will be in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Also on Tuesday, the Israeli intelligence Chief, Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin said that Hamas has successfully test-fired what it seemed to be an Iranian missile which could hit 60 kilometers away from the launching site, putting more Israeli communities into risk.
Commenting on Yadlin's report, Israeli deputy defense minister Matan Vilnai said that the security establishment was bracing for potential rocket threat from defensive and offensive prospects.
Last winter, Israel launched a massive 22-day offensive into Gaza, killing 1,387 Palestinians and destroying thousands of houses and public buildings. The operation, in which 10 soldiers and three Israeli civilians were also killed, aimed at stopping Hamas from firing rockets into Israel.
The Israeli army "will find no less than what it has found in its latest war on Gaza," Abu Obaida said, adding that the Israeli threats were clear.
Yet, Abu Obaida said that Israeli remarks proved that the December 27 - January 18 Operation Cast Lead in Gaza "has failed and did not achieve its goals" in stopping Hamas' rockets.
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