Mahmoud Zahar, a top Hamas strongman in Gaza, on Monday urged Hamas fighters to "crush" IDF forces who have invaded the territory. He also hinted at greater efforts to attack Israeli civilians.
Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar.
Photo: AP [file]
Speaking on Hamas's Al-Aqsa TV, Zahar praised Hamas fighters and urged them to "crush your enemy." He promised that Hamas would ultimately emerge victorious in the fight against Israeli forces.
He said Israelis "have legitimized the killing of their children by killing our children. They have legitimized the killing of their people all over the world by killing our people."
Zahar added that "the rockets launched by resistance fighters have broken Israel's security perceptions."
It was unclear whether the speech was taped. Hamas leaders have been in hiding since Israel's assault on the terrorist group began on December 27.
Zahar is seen as the mastermind of Hamas's violent takeover of Gaza in June 2007.
