Hamas is re-equipping itself following Israel’s Operation Protective Edge and looking to acquire or construct longer-range rockets, according to Israel Radio. Palestinian Affairs Correspondent Gal Berger quoted (in Hebrew) Hamas leaders saying they want to strengthen their military capabilities, despite agreeing to a truce with Israel after the 50-day war this summer.

The Jerusalem Post reported on October 5 the Israeli Navy intercepted numerous efforts “to smuggle weapons manufacturing material into Gaza since the end of the war in August.” The newspaper cited an interview with Squadron 916 Commander Eli Soholitski:

“Our vessels are ready to go into offensive missions at any time. There have been more than a few attempts to infiltrate the naval closure. We’ve conducted activity against vessels that violated the closure.”

Every few days Hamas test fires rockets as part of its weapons upgrade program, he added.

In a separate report, the Post quoted Hamas’ political head Ismail Haniyeh as saying his organization will “continue to build and develop the weapon of resistance.”

“We will develop our weapons so that our missiles will reach as far as possible and hit targets at sea, on land, and in the air,” Haniyeh said. “We will do so until all of our land is liberated.”

“There will be no harm done, nor will there be any negotiations over, the weapons of the resistance,” the Hamas leader said to rousing approval from the thousands of worshippers who chanted, “Resistance! Resistance!”

[Archive photo: David Katz/TIP / flickr]