What follows in the full text of the latest statement released by Hamas:
"The Israeli Occupation will have to face the repercussions after choosing to bomb Gaza, its people and target the unarmed protesters taking part in the Great March of Return. The Palestinian resistance's retaliation is internationally guaranteed and is carried out only under one purpose; to defend the people of Gaza. It's also the resistance's national duty to deter the Israeli Occupation from imposing its own rules of engagement upon innocent civilians. The resistance will continue to uphold this equation no matter the sacrifices made because the people of Palestine have full support for their resistance. Palestinians have the right to live in freedom and dignity, and international and regional leaders must work on ending the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, end its siege and support the Palestinian cause."
At least four Palestinians have lost their lives and nearly 120 others sustained critical injuries when Israeli military aircraft and battle tanks hit targets throughout the Gaza Strip as the Tel Aviv regime presses ahead with its acts of aggression against the besieged coastal sliver.
Two Palestinians were killed on Friday evening after Israeli artillery units fired two shells reportedly at an observation post belonging to Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas resistance movement, east of the city of Khan Yunis, located about 25 kilometers south of Gaza City, Arabic-language Ma'an news agency reported.
The deceased Gazans were later identified as Mohammed Abu Farhana and Shaaban Abu Khater.
A third Palestinian was killed after Israeli jets carried out airstrikes east of the border town of Rafah. He was identified as Mahmoud Qeshta.
According to Palestinian medical sources, another Palestinian, identified as Mohammed Sharif Badwan, was killed in the Zeitoun district of Gaza.
Separately, two Palestinians were wounded when Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian houses east of Abasan city. A 14-year-old Palestinian boy was also shot and is now in critical condition.