Def appeared exultant in the tape, threatening not only that his Hamas organization will not be disarmed, as Israel demands, but that terrorism will continue until Israel is erased.
"Today you leave Gaza in humiliation," Def says. "You are leaving hell. But we promise that tomorrow, with Allah's help, all of Palestine will turn into hell for you."
Def, who has been hiding out in Gaza in fear of the Israeli security services for over a decade, also said, "Without our consistency and without our Jihad [religious war], we would not have achieved the liberation of the Gaza Strip. We will not rest until we liberate our entire holy land."
Def is responsible for the deaths of dozens of Jews, and masterminded the abduction and murder of IDF soldiers Nachshon Wachsman, Aryeh Frankental and Shachar Simani. He also planned the two #18 bus suicide bombings in Jerusalem in the spring of 1996, in which a total of 43 people were killed.
In August of 2001 and again in September of 2002, Deif was targeted in IDF helicopter-borne missile strikes, the latter strike leaving him seriously wounded.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry reacted to the latest Hamas video by terming it an indication that the Palestinian Authority leadership must fulfill its commitments and fight the terrorist groups. "Def's statements threaten the chances to renew the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, as Israel continues to demand the disarming of such factions," said Gideon Meir, deputy director of the Ministry's PR department.
"Today you leave Gaza in humiliation," Def says. "You are leaving hell. But we promise that tomorrow, with Allah's help, all of Palestine will turn into hell for you."
Def, who has been hiding out in Gaza in fear of the Israeli security services for over a decade, also said, "Without our consistency and without our Jihad [religious war], we would not have achieved the liberation of the Gaza Strip. We will not rest until we liberate our entire holy land."
Def is responsible for the deaths of dozens of Jews, and masterminded the abduction and murder of IDF soldiers Nachshon Wachsman, Aryeh Frankental and Shachar Simani. He also planned the two #18 bus suicide bombings in Jerusalem in the spring of 1996, in which a total of 43 people were killed.
In August of 2001 and again in September of 2002, Deif was targeted in IDF helicopter-borne missile strikes, the latter strike leaving him seriously wounded.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry reacted to the latest Hamas video by terming it an indication that the Palestinian Authority leadership must fulfill its commitments and fight the terrorist groups. "Def's statements threaten the chances to renew the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, as Israel continues to demand the disarming of such factions," said Gideon Meir, deputy director of the Ministry's PR department.