“Today, the Resistance (Movement) is in a position to defend the Palestinian nation and will respond to any act of aggression with full preparedness,” Mushir al-Masri told the Tasnim News Agency.
“We are not seeking to wage a war,” the spokesman said, adding, “However, we are always fully ready to defend the Palestinian nation.”
He further pointed to the Palestinian Intifada (uprising) against Israeli oppression, saying that “the Zionist enemy” is making every attempt to destroy the Intifada, but the uprising is continuing with more power than ever.
On Sunday, a spokesman for Hamas movement's armed wing al-Qassam Brigades had said that his group will carry on with preparations and boosting its power for any possible battle with Israel.
Abu Obeida's remarks were made in a rally held in Gaza to honor seven Hamas fighters found dead on Thursday under a military underground tunnel that collapsed on Tuesday night in the northeastern part of Gaza City.
"The Palestinian armed resistance has the right to prepare and boost its power in preparations for any upcoming war with the Israeli occupation," the masked spokesman Abu Obeida, told the rally.
He added that the decisions for preparations and boosting the military power of his group are strict strategic decisions that can never be regretted under any circumstance.
He addressed his words to thousands of Hamas supporters waving green flags and chanting slogans in support for the movement's armed wing, adding "it is our right to be well-prepared for the future, but not because we want to fight now."