Failure to reconstruct Gaza 'a reason for a new explosion' for Israel

Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, made a statement yesterday saying it considered the failure to reconstruct the Gaza Strip a reason for “a new explosion” for Israel.

“We are saying to all sides – if the siege on Gaza and the obstacles for reconstruction remain, there will be a new explosion for Israel because it is the main reason behind this stalling and disruption,” Abu Obeida, a spokesman for the Izz Ad-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, said.

Some $5.4 billion were pledged during the Cairo conference, held under the sponsorship of Egypt and Norway and attended by over 60 countries. The funds are due to be paid to the Palestinian Authority for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip which suffered great destruction during the 51-day Israeli assault.

Abu Obeida, who was accompanied by two masked Qassam fighters, stressed that “our resistance will continue to press on the trigger; our people will not accept humiliation and to go back to square one.”

He added: “The battle is not over, although its most prominent chapter occurred in Gaza. However, the arrogance of the occupier has imposed renewed battles on us. The occupier may not anticipate the nature of these battles. There is no chance for the Zionists to rise after ‘Operation Protective Edge’ [the most recent Israeli assault on Gaza]; they are on a downward spiral.”

The war in the Gaza Strip started on July 7 and continued until August 26, resulting in 2,143 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians, and 71 Israeli deaths, the overwhelming majority of whom were soldiers.

This is the first time the Qassam spokesman has appeared since the ceasefire agreement was reached between the Palestinians and Israelis under the auspices of Egypt.

Abu Obeida said: “Our people and our nation will only hear good news that will please them and make them proud. Al-Qassam Brigades know what to say, when to say it and how, just as it knows what to do, when to do it and how.”