Posted on 02/05/2006 6:24:14 PM PST by blam
Hamas vows to defend itself after three die in Israeli air strike
By Tim Butcher in Jerusalem
(Filed: 06/02/2006)
Hamas reacted angrily yesterday to the first Israeli air strikes on Gaza since the Islamist group won the Palestinian election, vowing that it would never give up the right to "self-defence".
The missile raids - in retaliation for a rocket fired from Gaza that injured three Israelis, including a baby - were a setback for international efforts to persuade Hamas to recognise Israel and give up its armed struggle.
Palestinians gather around the wreckage of a car destroyed after being targeted by Israeli missiles
The violence threatened further to entrench Hamas's attitude towards Israel, as senior members of the movement gathered in Cairo for talks on how to structure a Palestinian government led by the organisation.
Senior exiled Hamas figures joined colleagues from Gaza to discuss how to deal with the challenge of governing the nascent Palestinian state.
Ismail Haniya, a senior Hamas figure from Gaza who is regarded as a moderate, cancelled his participation in the talks to deal with the aftermath of the air strikes.
The scale of economic chaos in the Palestinian government soon to be inherited by Hamas was revealed by an internal report into corruption that found £450 million missing from the exchequer, stolen by officials.
Corruption was a dominant issue in the election, with many voters punishing years of misrule and financial fraud by Fatah by voting for Hamas.
Ahmed al-Meghani, the Palestinian attorney general, said that as a result of the report he expected "people to be brought before the courts in the coming days".
But there was one positive development for the Palestinian economy when Israel said it would end its recently-imposed ban on the transfer of about £30 million in customs and tax receipts to the Palestinian government.
The regular monthly payment, desperately needed to pay the wages of 135,000 Palestinian state employees, was blocked for fear that it would be used for terrorism.
Israel changed its mind after being convinced that no Hamas government would be in place for some weeks and the outgoing Fatah-led administration was still in control. But it made clear that future payments were at risk.
Three members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a rival faction to Hamas, were killed in the Israeli raid but Hamas was swift to react. "We condemn this crime, this assassination, which serves only to increase the strength and unity of the Palestinian people," Mr Haniya said.
"People have the right to defend themselves in the face of these acts by the occupation."
The spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, also criticised the attack. Nabil Abu Rudeina described it as "a dangerous escalation" at a time of transition after years of Fatah rule.
"We ask Israel not to aggravate the situation during this period of change, especially under these delicate circumstances," he said.
Last night, two members of Islamic Jihad were killed as Israeli aircraft fired rockets at two vehicles in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. One of the victims was identified as Adnan Bustan, a bomb maker responsible for rockets fired at Israel.
Palestinians will learn that if they screw with the bull, they will get the horns.
Let the games begin.
You and your air force??
Israel 3
Hamas 3
The Palis should be grateful that Israel allows them to exist at all.
The Israeli Defense Force is armed with cutting edge technology, superior firepower ability and superb intelligence resources. They also have nuclear weapons.
Now, suppose that if the roles were somehow reversed.
Can you imagine what kind of world we would be living in if the Palis had that kind of war machine? They would eradicate Israel in a heartbeat.
The Palis are way overdue for their justified annihilation, but the Israelis may eventually be pushed too far.
Only time will tell.
At some time all this cr@p needs to end IMO.
"The missile raids - in retaliation for a rocket fired from Gaza that injured three Israelis, including a baby - were a setback"
It was the rocket attack which injured the baby which was the setback (not the Israelis defending themselves)!
That's just shy of 1 Billion dollars US. Just thought I'd point that little tidbit out.
L
I wish Israel would finish what these ragheads have started-the US obviously doesn't have the 'nads, and it needs to get done.
They're "defending" themselves, huh?
YYYYeeessssss!!!! Go Israel go!
We'll get and have plenty of opportunity in the future.
Hit em again.
Not exactly the shock of the year.
Car Swarm!
Opportunity yes, but 'nads?
Let me guess, their newest Kassam maker is coming out with a SAM version?
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