The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas has described the massive popular participation in the funerals of Hebron martyrs on Saturday as a real referendum on the resistance option, and a reflection of the great stature of the resistance fighters.

"The funeral procession of the martyrs today has sent a strong message to the occupation that all its repressive measures and criminal and punitive actions will never affect the popular and national incubator of the resistance project," Hamas spokesman Husam Badran stated in press remarks on Saturday.

Badran added that such participation in funerals of West Bank martyrs also delivered a message to all regional and international parties that any attempt to undermine the Palestinian intifada and circumvent the popular choice would be doomed to failure.

He called on the Palestinian factions to respond to the popular demand of forming a united national leadership that oversees the current sensitive phase, stressing that all Palestinian forces are obligated to support the intifada with all available means.

Tens of thousands of Palestinian citizens participated yesterday afternoon in occupied Hebron city in the funeral of five Palestinian young men killed recently by Israeli soldiers.