GAZA, Oct. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior leader of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) asserted on Thursday that Hamas would continue firing rockets at Israel despite the call of severalArab countries for an end to such attacks.

   Sa'eed Seyam, a Hamas leader in Gaza, told Xinhua that Hamas representatives abroad reiterated to the Arab countries that the position of Hamas concerning firing Qassam rockets at Israel "has not changed."

   "Resistance is a legal right of our people to defend themselves in front of daily Zionist crimes against them," said Seyam. "Al Qassam rockets are one of means of resistance."

   He also said that the various means of resistance, including launching al Qassam rockets at Israel, "were carried out inresponse to Israeli assassinations, massacres and destruction of houses against our people in front of the world's eyes." 

  "These crimes are carried out by the Zionist army through helicopters, F-16 fighter planes, tanks and other weapons against our people," said Seyam, adding that his movement was not intending to stop.

   Meanwhile, the senior Hamas leader said that the movement would stop firing al Qassam rockets at Israel only "if the Zionist enemy stops all its criminal actions and practices against our people."

   The Israeli army has launched a large-scale operation in northern Gaza Strip since Sept. 28 in a bid to stop Palestinian militants from firing rockets at Israel.  Enditem