Hamas: Anti-aircraft fire aimed at capturing "Israeli" pilots

Source: ynetnews, 17-03-2008
Palestinian group says it is increasing attacks on war planes, helicopters hovering over Strip in hopes they'll lead to capture of additional "Israeli" soldiers, thus strengthening its position in future prisoner exchange deal.
The increased attacks on "Israeli" helicopters flying over Gaza are aimed at abducting pilots to be used as bargaining chips in a future prisoner exchange deal, a source in Hamas told Ynet on Sunday.
"The main objective of these attacks is to shoot down manned ‘Israeli' aircrafts," the source said.
"Regardless of whether the pilot dies or is taken alive, we hope these attacks will eventually lead to the capture of additional ‘Israeli' soldiers."
On Friday Hamas said Palestinian militants hit an "Israeli" helicopter gunship in northern Gaza. The "Israeli" army declined to comment on operational details but "Israel's" Channel 1 television said the helicopter suffered some damage and was forced to return to base. There were no casualties among the crew of two, the report added.
"This afternoon our anti-aircraft crew opened fire at an ‘Israeli' aircraft over north Gaza, we know that it was hit," said Abu Ubaida, spokesman for the Izz al-Din al-Qassam brigades, Hamas' military wing.
'"Israel" does not want to see lull succeed'
Abu Ubaida said Hamas would continue to try to target "Israeli" aircraft with ever-improving munitions at their disposal.
A senior Air Force officer told Ynet that the threats against "Israeli" aircraft are "increasing with each passing day", adding that the "terror (militant) organizations are highly motivated to hit our aircraft, and helicopters are a naturally targeted because they fly at a relatively low altitude."
The officer refused to say whether "Israeli" aircraft were in fact hit recently, particularly during the recent Operation Warm Winter waged by the "Israeli" Military Forces in Gaza, but he did confirm that all aircraft returned safely to their bases. He denied Palestinian claims that during the operation "Israel" refrained from scrambling planes and helicopters to the Strip due to concrete threats.
"The flow of weapons into Gaza only increases this threat, and this is definitely worrying," the officer said. "We are making every effort to reduce the risk."
In a conversation with Ynet the Hamas source reiterated spokesman Abu Ubaida's claim that the anti-aircraft weapons were seized during raids on Palestinian Authority and Fatah headquarters during the Islamic group's takeover of Gaza last June.
"We look to improve all of our activities, including the attacks against ‘Israeli' aircraft - and we will be successful in this as well," the Hamas source said.
However, he added that Hamas has no intention of escalating the situation. "If ‘Israel' halts its aggression, we will stop firing," he said, "but as long as the targeted killings in Gaza continue, so will the retaliation on the part of the Palestinian resistance. It is our impression that ‘Israel' does not want to see the lull succeed."