The fiery rhetoric of the Hamas officials stands in sharp contrast to assessments that the movement is not too keen on engaging in another war with Israel.
On the first anniversary of Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip, Hamas leaders remain as defiant as ever, insisting that their movement would continue to pursue the fight against Israel.
The fiery rhetoric of the Hamas officials stands in sharp contrast to assessments that the movement, which emerged badly bruised from the military conflict, is not too keen on engaging in another war with Israel, at least not in the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, the main challenge Hamas is facing these days is not coming from Israel, but from other extremist Islamist groups such as Islamic State.
Despite the severe blow Hamas suffered during the conflict, its leaders continue to talk about “victory” over Israel.
Saleh Arouri, a senior Hamas operative based in Turkey, said in a statement marking the first anniversary of the war that the “victory of the Palestinian people was a real step toward paving the way for independence and freedom.”
Acknowledging the heavy price Hamas paid during the conflict, Arouri, who according to Israeli security sources is responsible for the recent spate of terror attacks against Israelis, also predicted that the “victory” would accelerate the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.