Hamas on Thursday hailed slain Muhammad Hjeila and his fellow resistance fighters over their efforts to intercept Israeli warplanes striking the besieged Gaza Strip.
Muhammad Hjeila was killed overnight after an Israeli reconnaissance jet struck a watchtower belonging to the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades the armed wing of Hamas east of Gaza City.
The Qassam Brigades said in a statement that the Israeli offensive came after resistance fighters attempted to intercept the Israeli drone.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said the Palestinian resistance has been on the side of the popular anti-occupation movements and will make use of its weaponry at the right time and in the right place.
The movement added that such Israeli strikes will only fuel the fire of anti-occupation movements and protests.
Hamas has mourned slain Hjeila whom it said has been an icon of self-abnegation and courage.
Hjeila’s murder brings the number of Palestinians killed since the outbreak of “The Great March of Return” protests on March 30 to 33 including three children. 3079 others have been left wounded 106 among them in critical conditions.
