Mahmoud al-Zahar said that Iran’s assistance to Hamas contributed to the development of the resistance movement’s military capabilities in the fight against Israel.

He said that Hamas should maintain good relations with all Arab and Islamic countries, including Iran, Syria and Persian Gulf littoral states.

He said that Israel was unlikely to launch a new attack on Gaza in the near future, adding that Tel Aviv would not dare wage another war any time soon as the resistance stands ready to defend the Palestinians.

Israel mounted a war on the impoverished Gaza Strip on July 8. The Israeli war ended on August 26 with a truce that took effect after negotiations in Cairo.

Over 2,100 Palestinians, including a large number of women, children and elderly people, were killed in the Israeli onslaught. Around 11,000 others were injured.

Earlier this month, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Hamas is getting stronger and enjoying majority support among the Palestinian public with repeated bouts of Tel Aviv’s military conflict.

He noted that Hamas has increased its rocket range after each Israeli war on Gaza, “Cast Lead” in 2008-2009, “Pillar of Defense” in 2012, and the 50-day conflict in July and August this year.