Deputy chairman of the politburo of the Palestinian movement of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh vowed that Israel would pay a dear price in case of launching a new war on the Gaza Strip.

Appearing at a celebration organized by the police force of the Palestinian enclave, Haniyeh praised Hamas’ performance in Operation Cast Lead, a three-week war fought with Israel in 2008-9.

Haniyeh spent much of his speech touting the Hamas strength, saying that they were “many times stronger” since the last conflict with Israel in 2014, and the next time Israel decides to invade Gaza, it will pay “an even bigger price.”

He also told the crowd that “in 2016, Hamas in the West Bank will be just as powerful as in Gaza.”

Israeli military officials said after 2014’s Operation Protective Edge that the terror group was severely weakened by the country’s military efforts, which involved the destruction of rocket-firing infrastructure and a network of attack tunnels.

Speaking about the recent wave of violence rocking Al Quds and the West Bank, Haniyeh praised those carrying out attacks and described how they had succeeded in shaking Israeli’s sense of security.

“This is an intifada for liberation and is not seeking to move forward negotiations,” Haniyeh quoted by Israeli media reports, said.

Source: MENA