Behind the lines: Hamas desperately seeking relevance [Israel]

The Jerusalem Post ^ | Saturday, July 26, 2014 | Jonathan Spyer

[Star Traveler]

Hamas is not an isolated player. It is part of a Muslim Brotherhood regional alliance bankrolled by the Emirate of Qatar.

The last year has not been good for this alliance. In 2011-12, they were riding high. They had come to power in Egypt and in Tunisia and seemed fairly placed to triumph in Syria too. Hamas elected to back what looked like an emergent Muslim Brotherhood power bloc – and drew away from its alliance with Iran.

Not much is left of all that. Egypt and Tunisia are gone. In Syria, only the regime, Islamic State and the Kurds remain as serious players. The Muslim Brotherhood’s moment in the sun was exceedingly brief.

This left their Palestinian iteration, Hamas, looking somewhat beached in 2014. The Iranian funding declined.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi decimated the tunnel system through which the rulers of Gaza brought in goods and money. Fuel shortages and power outages became part of daily life. There was no money to pay state employees.

The Hamas decision to relaunch its military campaign, its refusal to accept Israel’s offer of “calm for calm,” and its rejection of an Egyptian cease-fire proposal that Israel accepted represent an attempt to bring about a “reset” in the position of Hamas and its backers in the region.

[Star Traveler]

In talking about Hamas, it pays to know what is going on "behind the scene" and who the players are. And in this article, we see a part of what is going on behind the scenes that puts Hamas "on point" as seemingly the center of all the action. We also see two big blocks in the Muslim world - fighting against each other - in order to gain ascendency over the other. Hamas is the "tool" they are using to fight each other. One group is trying to save Hamas, while the other Muslim group is trying to destroy Hamas!

Egypt heads the group trying to destroy Hamas and Qatar heads the group trying to save Hamas. Israel is quietly aligned with the group headed by Egypt, while Israel strikes out against Qatar diplomatically.

That's why it's best for Israel if they accept a deal with Egypt, than if they accept a deal that comes out of Qatar.

[Star Traveler]

Hamas has been looking for allies, so far in vain [Israel]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3184802/posts

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.607178

While Islamic Jihad remains an Iranian protégé, Hamas decided two and a half years ago to break with Iran and return to its natural Arab and Sunni home. This decision was sparked by the Iranian-backed Syrian government’s slaughter of its largely Sunni citizens, which generated pressure to sever ties from both fellow Palestinians and Arab states. But Hamas also thought this move wouldn’t exact too high an economic price, thanks to the support it received from Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood-led government.

That calculation collapsed when Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi was ousted last year; Egypt’s new government is waging war on the Brotherhood and all its branches, first and foremost Hamas. But Hamas can no longer return to Iran, Syria and Hezbollah. Qatar and Turkey remain its only refuge, and both are loathed by Egypt and the Gulf states.

[Star Traveler]

In Gaza war, Egypt taking hard line over border [Israel and Hamas]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3184786/posts

http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-gaza-war-egypt-taking-hard-line-over-border/

Vilification of Hamas in Cairo has only increased since Operation Protective Edge erupted.

CAIRO (AP) — In the Gaza war now in its third bloody week, Hamas’ battle isn’t only with Israel, even though that’s the country it is firing rockets at. The terrorist group that rules Gaza is demanding Egypt open its border with the tiny, blockaded strip of territory

Even as it presents itself as a mediator in the conflict, Egypt is taking a hard line, refusing any opening that would strengthen Hamas, a group it accuses of fueling militancy on its soil.

And so far, the Egyptian public has largely gone along.

But as civilian casualties rise in Gaza, Egypt’s government runs the risk that Egyptians will blame it for not making concessions that could stop the bloodshed.

Still, authorities in Cairo have insisted they won’t bend. Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri called Rafah a “red line,” warning against pressuring Egypt on the issue.

Both Israel and Egypt have enforced a crippling, years-long blockade of Gaza. Israel also faces demands to open its crossings, which are vital to reviving the strip’s economy, but it is likely to resist doing so.

For its part, Egypt has made it clear it won’t open the border unless the Gaza side is run by Hamas’ rival, President Mahmoud Abbas’ Palestinian Authority.

[Star Traveler]

Israel singles out Qatar as key Hamas terror sponsor
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3184241/posts

http://www.timesofisrael.com/as-it-battles-hamas-israel-singles-out-its-sponsor-qatar/

Gulf emirate is branded the villain behind Hamas belligerence, with PM’s former security adviser saying it funds tunnel diggers and rocket launchers.

President Shimon Peres accused Qatar on Wednesday of becoming “the world’s largest funder of terror” due to its financial support for Hamas in Gaza.

“Qatar does not have the right to send money for rockets and tunnels which are fired at innocent civilians,” the outgoing statesman told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Jerusalem. “Their funding of terror must stop. If they want to build then they should, but they must not be allowed to destroy.”

Qatar’s recently attempted to transfer funds for the salaries of Hamas civil servants in Gaza, following the formation of a Palestinian unity government, but was blocked by the United States, which pressured the Arab Bank not to process them. But former national security adviser Maj. Gen. (res) Yaakov Amidror told The Times of Israel that the emirate’s funding for the organization’s terror apparatus, including tunnel diggers and rocket launchers, has continued unabated.

[Star Traveler]

Ceasefire Talks to Renew in Cairo as Egypt Slams Hamas [Israel]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3183468/posts

http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/07/22/ceasefire-talks-to-renew-in-cairo-as-egypt-slams-hamas/

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said Monday that Israel will continue its offensive “as long as necessary” to stop rocket attacks by Hamas and terrorist infiltration from Gaza.

Meanwhile, a senior Egyptian official on Sunday accused Hamas of neglecting Palestinian citizens after officials claimed that one of the terrorist group’s leaders, Khaled Mashaal, had been invited for Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire talks in Cairo.

“This is yet another lie in a string of lies made by Hamas leaders, who continue to live comfortable lives abroad while abandoning the Palestinian citizens who are being killed by the day and paying with their lives for the political and military escapades of the organization,” the official said, according to Israel Hayom.

[Star Traveler]

Egypt still holds the key in cease-fire talks [Israel and Hamas]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3183248/posts

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.606289

“I take my hat off to Israel, and I say to the army, the people, and the Israeli leadership – you’re good men,” enthused Tawfik Okasha, owner and anchor of the Egyptian television channel Al-Faraeen. Although it’s true that Okasha has a personal vendetta against the Muslim Brotherhood, which closed down his channel during their rule, statements such as these haven’t been heard in Egypt in generations. There’s no doubt that the official and public discourse in Egypt is more favorable to Israel than it is to Hamas, but it’s still too early to rejoice about any kind of miracle from above.

This discourse could turn at any given moment. Egypt is mired in a national loss much more troubling than the death of over 400 Palestinians in Gaza. Although the deaths of 22 Egyptian soldiers near the western border at the hands of unidentified terrorist gangs has drowned out discussions of Gaza, the Egyptians continue to hold the position that they, and no other state – Turkey, Qatar or any other – should mediate the diplomatic efforts at a cease-fire.

It’s not just Turkey and Qatar that are in Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi’s political crosshairs. Sissi made clear to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that he does not intend to visit the American-African summit meeting, where he was meant to meet President Obama. Instead, Sissi will send Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab and Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri.

[Star Traveler]

Arab rifts may complicate search for Gaza truce [Israel and Hamas]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3183170/posts

http://news.yahoo.com/arab-rifts-may-complicate-search-gaza-truce-162358992.html;_ylt=AwrBJR_XRM1Tm1oAjoHQtDMD

DOHA/CAIRO (Reuters) - The push for a Gaza ceasefire risks becoming mired in a regional tussle for influence between conservative Arab states and Islamist-friendly governments, with rival powers competing to take credit for a truce, analysts and some officials say.

The main protagonists are Arab heavyweight Egypt and the tiny Gulf state of Qatar, on opposite sides of a regional standoff over Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip, and its ideological patron the Muslim Brotherhood.

Both camps suggest the other is motivated as much by a desire to polish diplomatic prestige and crush political adversaries as by the humanitarian goal of protecting Palestinian lives from the Israeli military.

“Gaza has turned very suddenly into the theater in which this new alignment within the Arab world is being expressed,” said UK-based analyst Ghanem Nusseibeh.

“Gaza is the first test for these new alliances, and this has affected the possibility of reaching a ceasefire there.”

He was referring to Qatar, Turkey, Sudan and non-Arab Iran, the main members of a loose grouping of states which believe Islamists represent the future of Middle East politics.

That camp stands in increasingly overt competition with a conservative, pro-Western group led by Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, most of whom are intent on crushing the Brotherhood and see it as a threat.

That cleavage is now apparent in the diplomacy over Gaza.

[Joe Boucher]

If Qatar is such a big financier of terrorism, why is it no one seems to be going after their sorry asses?
Secretly take out a passel of these turds and watch em squirm.

[Star Traveler]

It could be because of this ...

It kinda started with the Gulf War and the USA’s placement of troops and assets for the Middle East ... and then now it also comes from having the U.S. Combat Air Operations Center for the Middle East - for CENTCOM - moved from Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia to Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base south of Doha, the Qatari capital.

Plus it also involves the “Defense Cooperation Agreement” which has been expanded even more than when it was first agreed upon.

There’s a lot going on there for the USA that started several Presidents back.

[Diogenesis]

Under Obama, America SUPPORTS, WEAPONIZES, and DEFENDS terrorists.

Pictured: Obama’s half-brother wearing Hamas scarf that boasts ‘Jerusalem is ours—WE ARE COMING’

Obama’s Brother Joins Hamas, Wears Scarf Saying ‘Jerusalem Is Ours; We Are Coming’

Barack Obama’s Brother Malik Joins Hamas Terrorist Group

Obama appoints Hamas supporter who called Israelis Nazis to commission on religious freedom

CIA finds 1 in 5 flagged job applicants hail from Hamas, Hezbollah, al Qaeda

Al-Qaeda, Hamas operatives applied for CIA jobs, say new Snowden files

Obama Officials Met with Hamas, Discussed Removing it from Terror List

Summer Camp: Hamas Teaches Children to Kill and Kidnap Israelis

U.S. Muslim Brotherhood/Hamas Support Leader Chosen By Syrian Opposition

How the U.S. Aids Hamas Through the Palestinian Authority

Obama Approves Direct Funding For Hamas

US sends $50M to Gaza

Kerry, Obama, and the WEF’s $4 Billion Bailout Plan for PLO/Hamas

VERY IMPORTANT.. Obama’s Brother Funds Hamas (Proof Below)

Hamas 'happy' with Obama's $900 million pledge [2009 Flashback: Never Forget!!]

U.S. Selling $11B in Weaponry to Gulf State That Supports Hamas, Syrian Jihadists

Why would Hamas negotiate with John Kerry after getting $47 million from him?

Ninth Lesson From the Gaza War: Hamas Will Use Humanitarian Aid for Evil

Will Obama Snatch Defeat from the Jaws of Victory Over Hamas?

Obama to the rescue – of Hamas

The Southern Poverty Law Center Stands Up for Hamas

State Dept: U.S. Supports Palestinian Unity Government (Hamas)

Report: US Holding Backroom Talks with Hamas ‘For Months’

U.S. held secret meeting with Hamas, Terrorist regime still won't recognize Israel's right to exist

Former FBI Agent Says Leading Muslim Group a ‘Hamas Front’ (CAIR)

[Star Traveler]

One thing that must be made clear here is that the USA doesn’t give money or arms to Hamas, but the USA does give humanitarian aid to the People there in Gaza through agencies, such as UNRWA who administers the programs.

And Israel, who controls the goods that go into Gaza (they have a blockade around Gaza) does let the goods that the USA sends in through UNRWA go through their checkpoints, as Israel has no problem with that.

What Israel doesn’t let go through their checkpoints or past their blockade are arms and material for war going to Hamas.

ALSO ... humanitarian aid or aid to the Palestinian Authority, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lobbied and urged Congress to continue supporting (because Israel doesn’t want it’s soldiers administering the PA territories) ... is given to the Palestinians on the West Bank.

And don’t be confused by the “unity pact” which is nothing but a “paper document” for foreign consumption ... with Hamas ... when it is the Palestinian Authority” and Abbas who are fully in control of Judea and Samaria.

The problem some have is that they can’t see the details and distinguish what is going on. And they confuse criminals and criminal actions of terrorists with support that the USA is giving to Palestinians, versus the terror groups.

They ignore that Prime Minister Netanyahu has no problem with humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians and he also wants support for the Palestinian Authority to continue so Israel won’t have to administer the territories.

What neither the USA or Israel wants is any money or arms to the terrorist organization and neither one of them is doing that.

Israel and the USA are against Hamas and against supplying them in Gaza!

[Star Traveler]

In regards to the Israelis distinguishing the Palestinian residents in GAZA from the HAMAS operatives ... here’s what the Israeli Ambassador said just a couple of days ago!

“THE GAZA RESIDENTS ARE NOT OUR ENEMY!”

Don’t let the enemies if Israel “spread the lie” that Israel treats all of Gaza as the enemy. It’s only Hamas that is the enemy!

— — —

Speaking at the conference, Israel’s ambassador to the body, Eviatar Manor told the debate that “Israel will destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure.” He also added that “the Gaza residents are not our enemy. Israel is fully committed to international law.” The ambassador also slammed the UN Human Rights Council saying they had “failed to protect the human rights of Israelis,” Haaretz reports.

http://rt.com/news/174948-un-israel-palestine-talks/

[Diogenesis]

The US, under the undocumented Obama,
has willfully given money to terrorists
through Obama.

Over and over. And it has been caught doing so.

Your repeated spamming posts cannot erase the multiple
connections -— even to Lerner at the IRS.

[Star Traveler]

Here’s how the IDF distinguishes the RESIDENTS of GAZA from the Hamas operatives, and they do as much as they humanly can to not have any collateral damage to the Palestinian civilians in Gaza!

How is the IDF Minimizing Harm to Civilians in Gaza?
http://www.idfblog.com/blog/2014/07/16/idf-done-minimize-harm-civilians-gaza/

The IDF does everything possible to limit civilian casualties in Gaza. Hamas exploits these efforts by encouraging Palestinian civilians to ignore the IDF’s warnings.

Phone Calls and Text Messages

As part of its efforts to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza, the IDF makes phone calls and sends text messages to civilians residing in buildings designated for attack. In the following video, you can hear a recording of an IDF soldier calling a Gazan to warn him of an impending airstrike in his vicinity.

Leaflets

The Israel Air Force has dropped leaflets over Gaza that warn civilians to avoid being present in the vicinity of Hamas operatives. These leaflets urge civilians to move away from Hamas targets, making clear Israel’s intention to minimize civilian casualties. Since the operation began, Hamas has repeatedly instructed Palestinians to ignore these warnings.

Roof-Knocking

“Roof knocking” is when the IAF targets a building with a loud but non-lethal bomb that warns civilians that they are in the vicinity of a weapons cache or other target. This method is used to allow all residents to leave the area before the IDF targets the site with live ammunition.

The following video demonstrates how Hamas exploits the IDF’s efforts to avoid civilian casualties. On July 9, Palestinians fled a Hamas target after the IAF fired a warning shot. Moments later, people in the surrounding area flocked to the roof of the target, acting as human shields. The IAF called off the strike to avoid civilian casualties.

[Star Traveler]

Hamas is officially designated as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” which puts the full complement of the US Government “machinery” in action AGAINST IT, and at all levels.

Now, many people CONFUSE the money that goes to UNRWA, which is a humanitarian aid organization for these Palestinian civilians, with thinking that money is given to Hamas.

And it’s not, because Israel MANS THE BORDER and has a FULL EMBARGO on Gaza, but Israel lets through all the aid that goes through UNRWA, because the Israelis are not designating the Palestinian civilians as the enemy, but they are designating the Hamas organization as the enemy.

And it’s likewise with the USA.

— — —

Hamas is a designated foreign terrorist organization with the USA. This carries legal ramifications in our law in the USA and there are severe penalties for anyone supporting them with arms or money.

The USA not only does not “do it” (in terms of supplying Hamas with money or arms), they go beyond that and have listed Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization, and have those legal penalties.

Foreign Terrorist Organizations
http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm

Legal Criteria for Designation under Section 219 of the INA as amended

It must be a foreign organization.

The organization must engage in terrorist activity, as defined in section 212 (a)(3)(B) of the INA (8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)),* or terrorism, as defined in section 140(d)(2) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989 (22 U.S.C. § 2656f(d)(2)),** or retain the capability and intent to engage in terrorist activity or terrorism.

The organization’s terrorist activity or terrorism must threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security (national defense, foreign relations, or the economic interests) of the United States.

Legal Ramifications of Designation

It is unlawful for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to a designated FTO. (The term “material support or resources” is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2339A(b)(1) as “ any property, tangible or intangible, or service, including currency or monetary instruments or financial securities, financial services, lodging, training, expert advice or assistance, safehouses, false documentation or identification, communications equipment, facilities, weapons, lethal substances, explosives, personnel (1 or more individuals who maybe or include oneself), and transportation, except medicine or religious materials.” 18 U.S.C. § 2339A(b)(2) provides that for these purposes “the term ‘training’ means instruction or teaching designed to impart a specific skill, as opposed to general knowledge.” 18 U.S.C. § 2339A(b)(3) further provides that for these purposes the term ‘expert advice or assistance’ means advice or assistance derived from scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge.’’

Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances, removable from the United States (see 8 U.S.C. §§ 1182 (a)(3)(B)(i)(IV)-(V), 1227 (a)(1)(A)).

Any U.S. financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which a designated FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Other Effects of Designation

Supports our efforts to curb terrorism financing and to encourage other nations to do the same.

Stigmatizes and isolates designated terrorist organizations internationally.

Deters donations or contributions to and economic transactions with named organizations.

Heightens public awareness and knowledge of terrorist organizations.

Signals to other governments our concern about named organizations.

[Star Traveler]

And here is another way that Israel distinguishes between fighting and killing Hamas -versus- the Gaza residents, which the Israeli Ambassador says Israel has no fight with ... Only a fight with Hamas, the terrorist organization. And that’s why when the USA gives aid to UNRWA to bring that aid to the residents of Gaza - Israel lets all that aid go through that the USA gave them — precisely because Israel knows the difference between giving money to Hamas -versus- giving humanitarian aid to Gaza residents.

This is what you posted yesterday, I believe ... :-) ...

IDF Opens Hospital for Palestinians, Hamas Prevents Access
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3185114/posts

http://www.idfblog.com/blog/2014/07/25/idf-opens-hospital-for-palestinians-hamas-prevents-access/

The IDF has opened a temporary hospital for Palestinians on the Israeli side of the Erez Crossing. Even as terrorists fire rockets at Israel, the hospitals treating wounded civilians in cooperation with the Red Crescent. Hamas, the terrorist organization that rules Gaza, has prevented Palestinians from entering Israel in order to reach the hospital.

[AllAmericanGirl44]

You seem to be an odd little fellow. Every thread I notice you continue to talk to yourself.

Try condensing your points, maybe then people won’t just scroll past them. And it does come off as spam. Just saying

[Star Traveler]

I’m creating an archive of the Israel-Hamas War of 2014. It will continue to be here for future readers, even though the articles will probably be gone from their respective websites.

The posts to myself are previously posted articles that tie in, in some way to the current article.

The “article posts” contain the same amount of quoting as the original thread they were in, so no one has to click back to thread unless they want to comment on that referenced thread.

The quotes on the various threads contain as much as possible being quoted, because the web constantly “churns” and loses or deletes articles.

For your reference ... I have my articles tagged with this link, starting approximately from the time of finding the three dead Israeli teens.

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:startraveler/index?tab=articles

I do have another link (it’s not completed yet) which contains ALL of the article posts, no matter who they are from.

This will be a working record of the Israeli-Hamas War of 2014.