GAZA, Feb. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)asserted Tuesday that the group would react to any Israeli military action against the Palestinians.

    Hamas spokesman Musheer al Masri said in a press release that the Palestinian factions would not stand with folded hands when the Israeli occupation forces exercise aggressions against the Palestinians.

    "Resistance is a strategic choice for Hamas and any calmness doesn't mean that the choice of resistance is neglected," he said,adding that the group would respond to any Israeli attack by shelling the Jewish settlements.

    The spokesman, however, noted that Hamas and other Palestinian factions were ready to study the truce if Israel committed to the demands and conditions presented by the Palestinian factions.

    "We assert that we will positively deal with the calmness if the Zionist enemy commits to conditions of the Palestinian factions to release Palestinian prisoners, stop the aggressive practices and allow the expelled to return to their towns," said al Masri.

    "When the Zionist enemy commits itself to all its obligations,we will positively deal with the truce issue," he continued.

    Al Masri also condemned Israeli troops' continuous aggressions against the Palestinian people, saying Israeli troops had killed 20 Palestinians and arrested hundreds during the past few days,including the killing of a 10-year-old schoolgirl in Gaza on Mondaydespite the comparative calmness.

    Attacks on Israeli targets dropped significantly after newPalestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas held a series of talks on a ceasefire with Palestinian militant groups including Hamas in Gazalast month. Enditem