Hamas warns Israel of fight to death

GAZA, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- A Hamas spokesman promised Israel a fight to the death as ground forces crossed into Gaza late Saturday.

Ismail Radwan read a statement on al-Aqsa, the Palestinian television station, CNN reported. He warned Israel that "Gaza will be your cemetery."

"We will fight to our last breath," he said.

Radwan's words echoed those of Khaled Meshaal, a Hamas leader living in exile in Syria. Meshaal, speaking on al-Jazeera, warned Friday that Israel faced a "black destiny" if it invaded Gaza.

In his statement, Radwan accused Israel of targeting mosques during the air strikes that began a week ago.

"The aggression continues against our people, universities, mosques and everything that is there," he said. "The Zionist enemy targeted the houses of worship, the mosque -- and the worst was today when they targeted the Ibrahim Maqadmeh mosque, killing dozens of civilians. What crime can be worse than this? This is happening in front of the eyes of the Muslim and Arab world."