http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3267293,00.html
Al-Aqsa Brigades: Chemical warfare if Israel invades Gaza
Fatah’s armed wing says it has developed biological, chemical weapons. ‘We say to Olmert, Peretz: Your threats of invasion do not frighten us. We will surprise you with new weapons you have not faced until now,’ Al-Aqsa Brigades says
Roee Nahmias
The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah’s armed wing, announced that it has developed biological and chemical weapons, Palestinian news agency Ramattan reported.
“With the help of Allah, we are pleased to say that we succeeded in developing over 20 different types of biological and chemical weapons,
this after a three-year effort,” the group said in a leaflet it has distributed. “We say to (Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert and (Defense Minister Amir) Peretz: Your threats of invasion do not frighten us. We will surprise you with new weapons you have not faced until now. As soon as an IDF soldier sets foot on Gazan land, we will respond with a new weapon.”
The organization said it would not hesitate to use the substances, adding that they can be placed on rockets similar to those fired at Israeli communities surrounding Gaza.
“If Israel invades Gaza, we will declare open warfare without limits, as long as that is what the occupier wants,” the Brigades said.
'Don't give Israel the opportunity'
Simultaneous to the al-Aqsa Brigades threats, diplomatic talks are continuing in an effort to return the kidnapped IDF soldier to Israel. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit warned of further escalation in Gaza, stressing that both Israel and the PA must take steps to restore calm and trust in a way that would promote negotiations and the renewal of the peace process.
Aboul Gheit, who called on the sides to act with restraint, demanded that Israel refrain from taking steps that would complicate the situation and increase Palestinian suffering. He also demanded that the PA take measures to control factions carrying out operations similar to Sunday’s attack on the IDF outpost in Kerem Shalom.
The minister added that Egypt is in the midst of intensive talks with the Palestinians, Israel and the US government in a bid to resolve the crisis.
The Palestinians have confirmed that negotiations are being held, saying PA President Mahmoud Abbas spoke with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the matter.
Meanwhile, PA Deputy Prime Minister Nasr el-Din al-Shaar and PA Presidency Secretary-General Tayeb Abdul-Rahim called on the Palestinian armed factions to safeguard the kidnapped IDF soldier’s life so as “not to give Israel the opportunity to invade Gaza.”
(06.26.06, 00:32)
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3267274,00.html
Islamic Movement offers to mediate in kidnapping
Arab-Israeli organization offers to mediate between Israel, Palestinian kidnappers; soldier's grandfather asks Israelis to 'pray for miracle'
Hagai Enav
The Islamic Movement in Israel has offered to mediate between the government and Palestinian kidnappers to secure the release of an Israel Defense Forces soldier kidnapped by gunmen near the border with the Gaza Strip on Sunday morning.
MKs Ibrahim Sarsur and Abas Zkoor of the United Arab List-Ta'al faction, which is affiliated with the movement, said they would mediate talks for the release of Gilad Shalit if both Israel and the kidnappers agree.
The Islamic Movement called on the kidnappers to release Shalit, and urged Israel to act with restraint.
Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger meets grandfather of kidnapped soldier (Photo: Hagai Aharon)
United Arab List-Ta'al leader Talab El-Sana called on Palestinian groups involved in the kidnapping to keep the soldier alive and urged Israel to avoid carrying out a reprisal operation and to shelve its target assassination policy.
"We need to return to the negotiations table and solve the problems through dialogue, because only through deliberation it is possible to reach agreements and not through kidnapping and murdering innocent civilians," he said.
'We are optimistic'
With Israel choosing to give diplomacy a chance while keeping a rescue operation in the cards, the soldier's family expressed optimism about their son's fate.
"The feeling is very difficult, but we hope for the best," Tzvi Shalit, Gilad's grandfather said.
The family is anxiously awaiting news from Gaza at their home in the Galilee village of Mitzpe Hila.
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger visited the family Sunday evening in a show of support.
"The rabbi gave us hope and said he will pray for him (Gilad). We have to be hopeful. Gilad is a dear grandson who integrated well into
the brigade he served in. We are dealing with the situation. It happened to some families in Israel in the past and we believe and hope for the best all the time," the grandfather said.
Nitzan, a family friend said: "When I heard in the morning about the incident from a friend I immediately called my father who serves in the Armored Corps to ask what had happened. I hardly finished my question when he told me that Gilad is the kidnapped soldier."
"He has an entourage of friends. He is very quiet and introverted, and loves his family. We all hope he will return home soon," she said.
"I call on Palestinian religious leaders to work for the release of Gilad safely," Rabbi Metzger said. "We are the sons of Abraham our father and both religions will be judged from above for their behavior."
(06.25.06, 22:49)