Israel is desperately (and rightly) concerned about the deterrence hit that they’re going to take for withdrawing from Gaza. All of the IDF’s resources are focused on trying to prevent Hamas from claiming victory, because the last thing that Sharon can allow is to send the Palestinians the signal that violence works. They are prepared to invade Gaza and wipe out Hamas if necessary.
So naturally, Hamas has issued a statement saying that they’ll continue shooting rockets because violence works:
“Who said that the rockets are harmful to the national interests of the Palestinians,” Zahar asked. “History has proven that the rockets have been in the interests of the Palestinians. The rockets have forced Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and they will end the occupation in the future. It’s the resistance, and not the negotiations, that brought about the end of the occupation.”
