Hamas security forces preparing for major IDF operation in Gaza - Haaretz

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Last update - 20:42 15/09/2007

Hamas security forces preparing for major IDF operation in Gaza

By The Associated Press

Hundreds of Hamas security forces trained Friday for a possible Israel Defense Forces incursion into the Gaza Strip, in their first extensive exercise since Hamas seized control of the coastal territory in June.

Senior Hamas official Nizar Rayyan said the group would kidnap Israeli soldiers if the IDF launched a major military incursion into the strip.

He added the group was better equipped to face an IDF incursion since it confiscated weapons from Fatah during its June takeover of the Gaza Strip.

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"Your brothers, the sons of Hamas ... have the weapons that they claimed as booty from the war of cleansing (against Fatah) and will now fight the state of Israel with them," Rayyan said.

The Hamas-affiliated Popular Resistance Committees also held a military drill Saturday in Gaza City. "We will surprise the enemy with our ferocious fighting," said Abu Youssef, the group's spokesman.

Hamas troops training included firing automatic rifles and shoulder-held grenade launchers. Hamas has made statements that it is preparing for the possibility that Israel will launch a large military operation in the Gaza Strip in response to recent rocket attacks on southern Israel from the Strip.

Friday's drill was conducted in the northern Gazan town of Beit Lahiya, where Hamas forces wearing camouflage gear practiced shooting and taking cover. The troops also fired at an empty house, causing a large explosion and then kneeled to the ground shouting Allah Akbar, or God is great.

The military exercise was the first to which Hamas invited the media since violently overthrowing rival party Fatah. Fatah currently controls the West Bank under Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas who dissolved the previous Hamas-lead Palestinian unity government, naming a Western-backed Cabinet in its place.

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1.	Why is Clickfool not giving his stamp of approval?	21:02	\|	Mike	15/09/07

2.	Quisling abbas had better hide,since a ground invasion would mean	21:06	\|	lakshmi	15/09/07

3.	Ridiculous IDF Response	22:26	\|	Glenn	15/09/07

4.	How much has Gen. Keith Dayton got paid for arming Hamas?	22:29	\|	Absolute Sweden	15/09/07

5.	For how long are they going to hide?	22:41	\|	Isaac A Olayinka	15/09/07

6.	why wasnt the training attacked from the sky??	22:42	\|	vik	15/09/07

7.	Ground invasion	23:05	\|	cristo	15/09/07

8.	Brave Talk	23:19	\|	Yoram	15/09/07

9.	Lakshmi	23:30	\|	Jasmine Murphy	15/09/07

10.	Peace, Brothers	00:18	\|	True Empathy	16/09/07

11.	3.jasmine murphy,your post if it is a response to my post 2	01:49	\|	lakshmi	16/09/07

12.	#2 lakshmi	03:34	\|	Lynn	16/09/07

13.	Lakshmi`s connection	03:46	\|	Oddvark	16/09/07

14.	Israel provides fuel to Hamas	04:00	\|	Yaacob	16/09/07

15.	Back to the days of Human sacrifice, with no results	06:27	\|	Natallie Durson	16/09/07

16.	#13, Oddvark...	17:41	\|	Silvienne	18/09/07

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