GAZA: Hamas militants train in preparation for possible Israeli attack

Palestinian militants say they are prepared for any Israeli incursion in retaliation for a rocket attack on an army base that wounded 35 Israeli soldiers. Hamas's armed wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, says the group is preparing to defend Gaza. Senior Hamas official Nizar Rayan watched the fighters training in Beit Lahiya early on Saturday (September 15). The Popular Resistance Committees and Islamic Jihad groups jointly claimed responsibility for the strike on Israel's Zikkim training base on Tuesday. The attack prompted calls within Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government for tougher reprisals against Palestinians in Gaza. Hamas said it has not fired any of its own Qassam rockets into Israel since taking control in Gaza but threatened to start doing so in response to an Israeli incursion. On Thursday (September 13) the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip called on Palestinian militants to stop firing rockets and mortar bombs at border crossings with Israel that are used to bring food and other supplies into the territory. Rocket attacks on these crossings have forced aid groups to temporarily call off some shipments. Militant groups said they would consider the request but had no intention of stopping rocket fire into Israel during the holy month of Ramadan, which began this week.

ITN Source | September 15, 2007

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