Al-Qassam Website - The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas has mourned in a statement the martyrdom of Palestinian prominent leaders Jehad Ghannam, Khalil al-Bahtini, and Tarek Ezzedin, and other Palestinian civilians, including women and children, who were assassinated by the Israeli occupation forces late last night.

"As we hold the Zionist occupation and its extremist, fascist government fully responsible for the consequences of this heinous crime, we reiterate that the Israeli crimes and escalating terrorism against the Palestinian people will not go unpunished", the statement reads.

The Israeli offensive against the besieged Gaza Strip will not bring peace and security to the Israeli occupation state, but would encourage more resistance until liberation and return, Hamas concluded.