A Hamas video showcasing the terrorist group's core mission of killing Israelis. Photo: Palestinian Media Watch.

At a ceremony honoring Hamas terrorists, Interior Minister Fathi Hammad, who oversees Hamas’s police apparatus, announced plans to establish the first-ever Palestinian “Defense Ministry,” the Jerusalem Post reported.

Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, U.S., Canada and European Union, also operates as a political, social and paramilitary organization in Gaza. Despite attempts by Hamas to separate its various wings, most western analysts consider each to be inextricably linked as part of its overall terrorist infrastructure.

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which operates in the disputed West Bank in conjunction with Israel, controls its security and police forces through its Interior Ministry.

At the ceremony, Hammad praised his officers while condemning Israel’s actions in Operation Pillar of Defense.

“Zionist analysts are still talking about their failure and the collapse of their security system in the face of ours,” Hammad said.

He also added that the next war with Israel will be “more fierce, but we are determined to liberate Palestine.”