Meshaal: Israel has 'black destiny'

DAMASCUS, Syria, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal warned Israel Friday against invading Gaza with ground forces.

In a statement broadcast on the Arab-language network al-Jazeera, Meshaal, who lives in Syria, said Israel faces a "black destiny" in the event of a land invasion, the BBC reported. He said an invasion would be a "stupid mistake" because the air bombardment has failed to break his organization's will or to destroy infrastructure in Gaza.

"We will not break, we will not surrender or give in to your conditions," Meshaal said.

Meshaal has lived in Damascus since Jordan expelled Hamas leaders in 1999. He is a leader of the Syrian branch of the Hamas political bureau.