The ground operation launched by the Israeli army on Gaza Strip Thursday night will have serious uncalculated consequences for Israel, Hamas Spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said.
"The Israeli occupation authorities will pay dearly for this operation. Hamas is fully ready for the confrontation," he warned in a brief statement.
"The Israeli government approved the operation with a view to healing the wounded pride of its army after days of strong blows from the Palestinian resistance groups," Barhoum pointed out.
Meanwhile, loud explosions were heard in the northern parts of the Strip tonight amid reports of increasing casualties among the Palestinian civilians.
Thirteen people were reportedly injured as a result of an artillery bombardment on Beit Hanon town while three others were seriously injured in an air strike on Al-Nusairat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip.