GAZA CITY
The Palestinian faction Hamas late on Monday lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing threats made by him earlier in the day as "valueless".
"Netanyahu's threats that he will launch a decisive operation against the Gaza Strip if it resumes attacks on Israel are valueless," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.
"These threats only aims to raise the morale of the Israelis," Abu Zuhri added in a statement.
The Israeli premier was quoted earlier in the day by his spokesman Ofir Gendleman as saying Israel prepares for a very decisive operation against Gaza if attacks are resumed from the Palestinian territory
He said he had asked Israeli negotiators in indirect talks with the Palestinians in the Egyptian capital Cairo to insist on Israel's "security needs".
The Palestinians and the Israelis are now negotiating a permanent ceasefire in Gaza in Cairo through Egyptian mediation. A five-day ceasefire should come to an end in Gaza later on Monday.
The Cairo talks follow more than a month of Israeli attacks against the besieged Gaza Strip, leaving at least 2016 Palestinians dead and more than 10,000 others injured.
About 64 Israeli troops were also killed in Gaza combat, while three Israeli civilians were killed by rockets fired from the coastal enclave.
The coastal strip, home to some 1.8 million Palestinians, has reeled under a crippling Israeli blockade since 2007, which has badly affected residents' livelihoods.
By Mustafa Haboosh
www.aa.com.tr/en
