We are calling our militant group to stop their activities against the Israeli occupation outside Gaza strip
Sweet words to Muffti’s ears! After a few days of pounding sites in Gaza and arresting militants in West Bank, Hamas Gaza leader Mahmoud al-Zahar issued the above statement. The IDF, however, kept up the attack for hours after the proposed cease fire, anxious to take out weaponry manufacturing infrastructure.
The IDF also fired rockets on a vehicle, killing Mohammed Khalil, an Islamic Jihad field commander. This led to a statement by Islamic Jihad that they would cease cease-firing. Spokesman Al-Hindi said:
There is no talk of a truce, there is only room for talk of war…(Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon ended the truce when he started this widescale war against the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,
Oh well. Open one door, slam another Muffti guesses. The IDF tried to kill Khalil on three separate occassions.
Don’t think, however, that Hammas isn’t still angry about the missiles that exploded during a weapons parade. They just decided to project their anger on a slightly more manageable target, Palestinian Authority Interior Ministry spokesman Tawfiq Abu Khoussa. Khoussa was a member of the PA who called Hamas dirty liars disagreed with Hamas’ version of the event: that Israeli’s caused the explosion. Gunmen opened fire on his house earlier today. While Hamas hasn’t taken responsibility, Abu Khoussa was fairly clear about who was to blame:
You can ask those who are spreading rumors of treason…
Hamas declined to comment.
So to recap: Hamas is cool with Israel for now, but Islamic Jihad, who were cool with Israel, now aren’t. The PA, who were all happy to let insurgent group retain their arms, are now under fire by members of those groups. Confused? Don’t be. It’s the Middle East.
See CNN and the Israeli media for more details.
(Sorry! Muffti hadn’t seen that Michael beat him to the punch. Oh well. Muffti’s has a cool pic…)
litui
9/26/2005
Yay, cool pic.
JOBBER
9/26/2005
Lame response, they let the arabs weasel out of it, another victory for the terrorists. Not brutal enought response at all, I am not happy w/ the response.