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Hamas Warns 'Meet Demands or Resume Fighting'

CBN

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JERUSALEM, Israel -- The temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is holding for now, but Hamas continues to threaten and Israel vows to respond if rocket fire resumes when the truce ends Friday.

That comes as talks are underway in Cairo.

While Israel agreed to extend the 72-hour Egyptian-brokered ceasefire, the terror group's "military" wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, promised to resume rocket attacks as soon as the truce ended.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said talk of extending the truce is "unfounded."

"Our missiles are aimed at Israeli tanks and vehicles in their current positions," a Hamas operative told an al-Jazeera reporter.

Still, some say the Islamist group's saber rattling follows the same pattern it has in the past.

Meanwhile, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz said resumption of rocket attacks would be met with a harsh response.

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Israel is prepared for any eventuality, and Finance Minister Yair Lapid warned Hamas not to "test us."

"The IDF is prepared and ready. The Air Force is prepared and ready and any rocket fire will be answered with heavy fire," he said. "[Israeli troops] fought bravely against a murderous enemy."

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