Hamas ultimatum: Failing a Gaza seaport, the war goes on and thousands of Israelis will die
Hamas ultimatum: Failing a Gaza seaport, the war goes on and thousands of Israelis will die, DEBKAfile, August 7, 2014
Hamas military spokesman Abu Obaida declares war
Hours before the 72-hour ceasefire was due to expire Friday morning, Aug. 8, the Palestinian Hamas’ military wing slapped down an ultimatum before Israel: Either allow the Gaza Strip to have an open seaport – which would be tantamount to lifting the Gaza blockade – or prepare for a long and brutal war of attrition with thousands of fatalities.
Hamas’ decision about extending the ceasefire was tensely awaited Thursday night after Israel’s acceptance. Instead, the Palestinian Islamists declared that the war would go on unless Israel bowed to their dictates.
Israel’s envoys had previously rejected their demand for a deep sea Gaza port in the talks taking place in Cairo under Egyptian auspices.
Abu Obeida, spokesman of Hamas’ military wing, Ezz e-Din Al-Qassam, also announced that his movement had acquired new rockets with larger warheads than the more than 3,000 fired against the Israeli population in the month-long conflict, and they would be aimed at Israel’s Ben Gurion international airport. Israel would be severed from its air transport ties with the outside world, he said.
“We demand our fundamental rights,” said the Hamas spokesman, in a statement that was broadcast live Thursday night. “We call on our envoys to the Cairo talks not to continue negotiations until Israel surrenders to our demand for a seaport. The war is not over until the siege of Gaza ends.”
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WarSclerotic 
August 7, 2014 at 10:18 PM
Ok, the bell for the next round !
August 7, 2014 at 10:39 PM
Isn’t it time to send some special forces to Shifa Hospital and march all the Hamas war criminals right into Israel’s version of Gitmo for prosecution? Maybe the Knesset can enact the death penalty for terrorists committing double war crimes before this operation?
August 7, 2014 at 10:46 PM
Obviously, to Hamas, the cease fire is for something other than negotiations….resupply, feed the fighters, etc. etc. Anyone seen reports revealing it’s true nature?
August 7, 2014 at 10:52 PM
I did see a report that Hamas claims to still have at least one undetected tunnel into Israel. Not sure if this Psy Op. If there still is such a tunnel, I wonder if they will risk using it for Round 2 and risk losing it. Anyhow, Israel must remain vigilant to make sure that there isn’t a mega-terror op similar to the one that was planned for Rosh Hashonah.
August 8, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Of course Israel agrees with a Gaza sea port, Hamas just need to disarm themselves, recognize Israel as a jewish state, teach their children to coexist with nice israeli neighbours and mind your own business without annoying the region with those stupid rockets and tunnels… after that they can have sea, air and space ports all the time.
August 8, 2014 at 9:17 AM
Unfortunately it is going to have to be a fight to lead to total destruction of Gaza.