MEMRI January 29, 2016 Clip No. 5293
Hamas PM Haniya in Friday Sermon: We Are Digging Tunnels East of Gaza
http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5293.htm

In a January 29 Friday sermon delivered on Al-Aqsa TV, Hamas Prime Minister
Ismail Haniya admitted that Hamas was digging tunnels in preparation for a
military conflict with Israel. "East of the city of Gaza, there are heroes
underground, digging through rocks and building tunnels," he said and added
that west of Gaza, Hamas was testing missiles on a daily basis. Meanwhile,
Hamas’s military wing, the 'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, released a video
celebrating their tunnel-digging endeavors (see MEMRI TV clip 5292).

Ismail Haniya: "This weapon, the weapon of the tunnels, played a crucial
role in bringing about our victory. From these tunnels, the mujahideen
emerged to carry out the Nahal Oz operation. From these tunnels, the
mujahideen emerged to capture (Israeli MIA soldier) Oron Shaul. These
tunnels enabled the fighters to emerge behind enemy lines. Thanks to these
tunnels our military spokesman said: 'The mujahideen carried out their
operations, and returned safely to their bases.'
[...]
"East of the city of Gaza, there are heroes underground, digging through
rocks and building tunnels. West of Gaza, there are heroes testing rockets
every day. This is all in preparation - in tunnels underground, by means of
missiles in the air, as well as in the sea, and everywhere. This constant
preparation is for the sake of Palestine, Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa, and for the
sake of the Jerusalem Intifada."
[...]
Narrator: "With the determination of heroes, the resolve of men, and the
will of a people for whom nothing is impossible, the tunnels have become a
strategic weapon, which was used ingeniously by the resistance in fighting
the occupation, and which was used to provide a lifeline for our people,
suffering under an unjust siege. The strategic importance of the tunnels
stems from their impact on the battles, waged by the resistance against the
occupation in recent years.
[...]
"When talking about this strategic weapon, on must mention the unknown
soldiers, who continue their work day and night, in all weather and
circumstances. Some of them have been martyred on this path of glory, having
taken great strides on the path of resistance and liberation."


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