Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz has warned of Hamas' threat in the Gaza Strip, accusing the movement of using a truce agreement between Israel and the Palestinians to continue stockpiling arms, the Ha'aretz daily reported on Wednesday.

"We are definitely doing everything in order to preserve the cease-fire," Peretz was quoted as saying during a visit to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Gaza Division on Tuesday.

But Israel has "no reason to turn Hamas' strengthening into a real threat to Israel," Peretz said.

The defense minister did not rule out a military operation in Gaza.

"Every solution that protects the citizens of Israel is possible," Peretz said, adding that if a diplomatic solution does not work out, "we will also conduct military operations."

IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said during the visit that the army was mainly concerned about threats of secret tunnels by Palestinian organizations in Gaza.

Regardless of a truce that was reached between Israel and the Palestinians last November, a rocket hit an open area south of Ashkelon Tuesday, causing no injury.

In the West Bank city of Nablus, the Israeli army continued its large-scale operation "Warm Winter" on Wednesday.

Source: Xinhua