JERUSALEM, July 19 (UPI) -- A high-ranking Israeli military officer said recently that Hamas and Israel are on a collision course with each other and detailed a potential plan of action.
In a report in the Jerusalem Post the officer, who was not identified, said that with Hamas quickly gaining power in the Gaza Strip, Israel currently had a limited opportunity to strike before it was too late.
"There is an opportunity today since the world has not yet become accustomed to the new Hamas entity, and Hamas has not yet fully completed strengthening it's military capabilities," the officer said.
"Hamas is currently not acting against Israel because it is not in the group's interests, but one must not mistake this with the organization's ultimate goals," he added.
The army officer also alleged that Hamas has upgraded its military recently, adding anti-aircraft missiles and establishing a full-fledged army.
He said that the army had a plan for action and all it needed was govern ment approval.
He also told the Post that hundreds of Palestinians have also received military training in Iran during the past two years.