The Islamic Hamas movement has warned against any Israeli military action to bring back its soldier Gilad Schalit who has been in Hamas captivity since the summer of 2006.

Ismail Radwan, a senior Hamas leader in Gaza made the warning while speaking to reporters after Israeli Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz has called for carrying out a large-scale military operation in Gaza to free Schalit after indirect talks with Hamas to free him had failed.

The Israeli minister also called on the cabinet to tighten the blockade and prevent food and fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip until Schalit get freed.

"Such statements of threats reflect the nature of the extremist government that wants to eliminate our people and transfer them out of their lands," denounced Radwan.

"This terrorist minister and his government of occupation should know that Schalit would never see the light unless our prisoners are getting released," Radwan added.

The Hamas leader warned that any "Israeli escalated action on the area would produce uncountable results. The issue of Schalit is an issue of principle and all the Palestinians are supporting it."

In December 27, Israel had launched a 22-day military air, sea and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip that killed around 1,400 Palestinians and destroyed thousands of houses and official structures.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2009)