Hamas: Israeli ground attack will have consequences

JERUSALEM, July 17 (UPI) -- A spokesman for Hamas said Israel's ground operation in Gaza on Thursday will likely have dangerous consequences.

The Israeli Defense Forces launched the ground operation in the Gaza Strip following the end of a five-hour truce to allow the movement of aid.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told CNN "the beginning of the Israeli ground invasion of Gaza is a dangerous step with unknown consequences. Israel will pay a heavy price for it."

"The resistance will confront the Israeli ground invasion and will defend the people of Gaza," he added.

Meanwhile, Mark Regev, the spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, told CNN the IDF intends to "diminish" Hamas' military.

We have hit Hamas hard, and we will continue to hit Hamas hard.

— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 17, 2014