Hamas Claims Israel Behind Assassination of Top Terrorist in Gaza Strip

Palestinian men carry the body of 22-year-old Ahmad Qali, who was killed during clashes with Israeli security forces, during his funeral in the Shuafat refugee camp in east Jerusalem, on October 10, 2015. Violence between Israelis and Palestinians threatened to spiral out of control after unrest spread to Gaza, the Palestinian death toll rose and a new stabbing by a 16-year-old in Jerusalem. AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images

The Times of Israel reports: Thousands attended the funeral of a top Hamas terrorist in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, as leaders of the terror group continued to blame Israel for his killing and threatened retribution.

Mazen Faqha, a Hamas official freed as part of the 2011 deal to release captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit and deported to Gaza, was assassinated on Friday evening by unknown gunmen.

A Hamas official quoted by Army Radio said Israel was “trying to force a new model of a clandestine war on Hamas, as it has failed in the open war model.” He said Hamas would know how to respond to such tactics.

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