GAZA, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), warned on Sunday that they would target the Israeli army if it re-enters the Gaza Strip.
This came in a video published by the brigades in both Arabic and Hebrew, following Israeli media reports that the Israeli army had withdrawn most of its forces from the Gaza Strip for the first time since the start of the ground operation in late last October, except one brigade Nahal.
"You may be able to enter the streets of Gaza, but you will burn in its alleys every time with the determination of our strong fighters," said the Al-Qassam Brigades.
It also published footage accompanying the message, showing its elements clashing with Israeli forces penetrating the Gaza Strip and targeting Israeli army vehicles.
The Nahal Brigade is responsible for securing the so-called Netzarim Corridor, an Israeli-built east-west passage splitting the Gaza Strip in two.
The corridor permits the Israeli army access for military purposes, prevents Palestinians from returning to the northern part of the Strip, and allows humanitarian organizations to deliver aid directly to northern Gaza. ■
