Are Palestinian terrorists turning on each other? Palestinian banner. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock
In a new twist, the terrorist group running Gaza is accusing their more moderate counterparts of planning a car bombing—in Gaza. Hamas has accused officials in the Palestinian Authority (PA), including the religious affairs advisor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, of being involved in a plot to stir up unrest in Gaza, according to the Ma’an News Agency.
Hamas has had issues dealing with small radical terror groups in Gaza, noted Ma’an, and Hamas Interior Minister Iyad al-Bezem even implied that the PA is involved in creating small “groups“ as part of an effort to “create a state of chaos” in Gaza. Bezem said that the perpetrator trying to blow up the car confessed to being instructed by PA officials.
It’s an odd turn as the PA and Hamas continue to struggle to implement the unity government agreement they created last year. The Hamas accusations of PA involvement in creating small militant groups comes against the backdrop of small terror groups claiming to fire rockets at Israel, reported Ma’an.
Hamas, as the rulers of Gaza, are generally held responsible by Israel for all terror emanating from Gaza. The latest reminder of this came on Sunday from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. That may have been the impetus behind Hamas’ surprising revelation that the PA is trying to cause trouble with small groups in Gaza, effectively trying to pass the blame for conflict involving the Strip.
Netanyahu underscored that Israel would defend themselves, following multiple rocket attacks within a couple weeks of one another.
“I have not heard anyone in the international community condemn this firing; neither has [the United Nations] said a word,” said Netanyahu in comments released by his office on Sunday. “It will be interesting if this silence continues when we use our full strength to uphold our right to defend ourselves. Let it be clear: The spreading hypocrisy in the world will not tie our hands and prevent us from protecting Israel’s citizens.”
Regardless of who is behind the latest rockets, Hamas has plenty of blood on their hands and still remains a threat. Hamas has long been involved in sporadic attacks on Israel, in addition to three full-scale wars with the Jewish State.
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, June 10, 2015)