Hamas Leader: War with Israel Not on the Horizon

While Hamas last launched a full-scale war against Israel in 2014, it has continued to test-fire rockets and develop military capabilities including digging terror tunnels throughout Gaza and training a new generation of terrorists – all in preparation for another attack on Israel.

Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas political leader, stated that another war with Israel is not on the horizon. He made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking during an address in Gaza to mark the Eid El-Fitr holiday, which celebrates the conclusion of the Muslim month of Ramadan, Israel Radio reported.

Haniyeh explained that Hamas’ recent declarations on its readiness for a war with Israel were in responses to threats which, he claimed, were leveled by senior Israeli figures against the terror organization, Israel Radio reported.

There have been recent reports that Israel and Hamas are holding secret negotiations on the return of two live Israelis and the bodies of two IDF soldiers held by Hamas in return for the release of Hamas terrorists held in Israel.

Responding to the reports, Haniyeh said there would be no negotiations with Israel as long as Israel did not honor agreements that were reached with Hamas in the past, and did not release prisoners freed in the Gilad Shalit deal who were arrested again by Israel.

Israel re-arrested and imprisoned several Hamas terrorists released in the deal after they re-engaged in terrorism.

Haniyeh declared that the issue of Palestinian prisoners is a top priority for Hamas.

While the terror leader said that he does not foresee a conflict with Israel in the near future, Hamas has been working vigorously to rebuild its military might so it can attack Israel again, as several Hamas terrorists recently captured by Israeli security forces have testified.

By: United with Israel Staff