Netanyahu's statements reflect 'defeat', Hamas

Palestinian resistance faction Hamas has described as "confusing" recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he vowed to maintain the fight against Hamas. "Netanyahu's statements reflect his depression and his defeat," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a press release on Saturday. He said that the Israeli Premier had tried to create a "fake victory" in Gaza. "The [Palestinian] resistance will continue to fight the [Israeli] aggression until fulfilling its goals," Barhoum said. On Saturday, Netanyahu said that the Israel army will continue its military operations in the Gaza Strip even after Hamas' tunnels are demolished. "We will achieve our goal, no matter how much time this will take,” Netanyahu said in a press conference in Tel Aviv together with Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon. Israel has been pounding the Gaza Strip since July 7, killing at least 1712 Palestinians, injuring more than 9000 and turning thousands of homes and buildings to rubble. Netanyahu’s remarks came hours after Israel's media reported that the demolition of tunnels in the Gaza Strip would be complete within 24 hours. Netanyahu said Israel's army had succeeded in demolishing thousands of “terror targets” in Gaza.

He warned, however, the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movement Hamas that it would pay a "heavy price" if continued to launch rocket attacks against his country.

He said Israel would do everything it can to bring an Israeli soldier who went missing in Gaza on Friday back home.

Ya’alon, meanwhile, said the Israeli army was about to accomplish its mission of demolishing tunnels in the Gaza Strip.

He said Israel would maintain its war against Hamas, vowing to do everything possible until the Israeli soldier went back home.

He accused Qatar of being the main financier of Hamas, saying the tiny Gulf emirate does not do enough to pressure Hamas, even as it funds it.

A 72-hour humanitarian truce that started in Gaza at 8:00am (0500 GMT) on Friday fell apart a short time later when Israel resumed its strikes against Rafah city.

Israel said it did not abide by the ceasefire, brokered by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, after one of its army units was attacked in the southern part of Gaza, accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire.

The Israeli army said later that one of its troops was abducted, while two of his colleagues were killed.

Israel's attacks were, however, considered by Hamas as an attempt by Israel to mislead the world and justify its killing of Palestinian civilians.

The movement did not either deny or confirm the abduction of the Israeli soldier.