Hamas' leader in Gaza said Monday that the Palestinian terrorist group is coordinating with Iran and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terrorist group based in Lebanon, on an "almost daily basis."
Yahya Al-Sinwar made the comment on Al-Mayadeen TV, where he discussed Hamas' close ties with Iran and Iran's chief proxy force, according to a clip translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute.
"If Israel launches a military attack against Gaza, will we be witnessing unprecedented surprises, the likes of which we have not seen in the Israeli aggressions of 2014, 2012 and 2009, and 2008 against Gaza?" the news host asked Al-Sinwar.
"Absolutely. This is certain and beyond any doubt," Al-Sinwar said. "Our resistance in the Gaza Strip has greatly developed its capabilities, first and foremost thanks to Allah, but also with the help of the righteous free men of our nation—first and foremost the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has provided the Al-Qassam Brigades [Hamas' military wing, fully called the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades] and the other factions of the resistance a lot of money, equipment, and expertise even before the [Israeli] aggression, but especially after it."
Al-Sinwar went on to say that his terror group has "excellent relations" with Hezbollah that are "extremely developed."
"We work together and coordinate and are in touch on an almost daily basis. The relations are at the best stage ever," Al-Sinwar said. "Similarly, our ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, with brother Qasem Soleimani [head of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and the other brothers in the IRCC leadership are very strong, powerful, and warm. Our relations with the Islamic Republic are excellent."
Israel's internal security service said earlier this month that Iran is funding Hamas' ongoing efforts to promote violence against Israel disguised as mass demonstrations at the Gaza Strip border.