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ANALYSIS: Stunned by Israel's fierce response, Hamas sends distress signals
The Jerusalem Post ^ | July 9, 2014 | Khaled Abu Toameh

Posted on 07/10/2014 5:04:02 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

Despite fiery statements issued by Hamas spokesmen over the past 48 hours, it was obvious Tuesday night that the Islamist movement was searching for ways to rid itself of the current escalation.

Hamas feels that it has been forced into a confrontation with Israel – one that it did not want at this stage because of its increased isolation and financial crisis.

The massive Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours have surprised Hamas and other Palestinian groups. Hamas apparently expected a limited response to the recent rocket attacks on Israeli cities and towns. But as the IDF intensified its strikes against Hamas targets – including the homes of some of its top commanders – it became clear to the movement’s leaders that Israel means business.

On Tuesday night, Hamas spokesmen were sending distress signals to various parties. The organization is concerned that if the IDF operation continues for another few days, the movement will pay a very heavy price – one that could even bring about an end to Hamas’s rule over the Gaza Strip.

Hamas accused Israel of “crossing all the redlines” by bombing the homes of its military commanders. This shows that Hamas did not expect Israel to take such a drastic move. Less than 24 hours after the beginning of the IDF offensive, Hamas talked about the need to return to the truce that was reached with Israel in 2012.

A spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing, Izzadin Kassam, listed this demand as part of his movement’s effort to end the current confrontation. The spokesman called for an end to the IDF crackdown on Hamas members in the West Bank, which began after the abduction and murder of three Israeli youths last month.

On Tuesday night, Hamas and other Palestinian groups appealed to Egypt and Arab countries to intervene to stop the IDF operation. Given Hamas’s bad relations with the Egyptian authorities, it’s unlikely that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi would rush to save the movement that is openly aligned with his enemy, the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Palestinian Authority, which has condemned the Israeli “aggression,” is also unlikely to make a big effort to save Hamas from destruction. In fact, President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah faction would be happy to see Hamas severely defeated.

Hamas is beginning to feel the heat and that’s why its leaders, who have gone into hiding, are seeking an “honorable” way out of the confrontation, which, they say, they didn’t want to begin with.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; Israel; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: hamas; iran; israel; jihad; kenyanbornmuzzie; lebanon; stih; terrorism; waronterror
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To: Truth29
So now that Hamas is asking for help, Obama will try and force Israel into a cease fire.

Exactly, and may Netanyahu tell 0bama to stuff it.

61 posted on 07/10/2014 7:04:02 PM PDT by jazusamo (Sometimes I think that this is an era when sanity has become controversial: Thomas Sowell)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

What did they think Israel’s response would have been when they shot over 200 missiles into crowded cities???? Now they’re whimpering to 0bozo to tell Israel to cut it out?


62 posted on 07/10/2014 7:13:05 PM PDT by SkyDancer (If you don't read the newspapers you are uninformed. If you do read newspapers you are misinformed)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

This was an entirely appropriate retaliation. The next time Hamas considers attacking Israel they will fear that the IDF will exceed its last response.


63 posted on 07/10/2014 7:32:02 PM PDT by luvbach1 (We are finished. It will just take a while before everyone realizes it.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

No, Hamas, You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes.


64 posted on 07/10/2014 7:43:36 PM PDT by SisterK (behold a pale horse)
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To: SisterK

You don’t tug on Superman’s Cape!>


65 posted on 07/10/2014 8:00:27 PM PDT by DocJhn
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To: Feckless
"You F with the Bull, you get the (Kosher) horns. They ain't a makin' Jews like Jesus anymore..."

PRICELESS!!!

66 posted on 07/10/2014 8:01:22 PM PDT by holyscroller ( Without God, America is one nation under)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Games does not understand the meaning of “NEVER AGAIN.” But, they are learning it the hard way.


67 posted on 07/10/2014 8:10:01 PM PDT by Sasparilla
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Exactly!


68 posted on 07/10/2014 8:11:06 PM PDT by uncitizen (Buckle up! We're on the Facism Fast Track!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
We know what the mohammedan cockroaches would do to Israel if they had the military advantage.
69 posted on 07/10/2014 8:17:48 PM PDT by windsorknot
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
....”Hamas apparently expected a limited response to the recent rocket attacks on Israeli cities and towns. But as the IDF intensified its strikes against Hamas targets – including the homes of some of its top commanders – it became clear to the movement’s leaders that Israel means business”......

The question will be if or not the other Middle East nations come into the fray....Palestinians are known to flaunt their wounded and injured to gain sympathy from their neighbors..and cry and wail with all the drama they can muster. They do so because eventually it works.

I haven't seen a lot of it because frankly Israels strikes are very much targeted. So I suspect Hamas will start hitting their own people, like the Muslim Brotherhood did in Egypt, when they want the other nations involved.

70 posted on 07/10/2014 8:24:06 PM PDT by caww
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To: CheneyClone

...”0bama called Netanyahu and told him that he would be willing to broker peace talks between Israel and Hamas”.....

I don’t think BiBi cares what Alibama offers at this point....the Israels are on a full mission and you can expect this won’t stop until they’ve accomplished what they set out to do. Besides, Obama will just send Kerry and how’s that been working thus far?

I don’t think I’m the only one who ‘laughed’ over Alibama offering to broker peace......the only thing he puts on the table is a pool stick.


71 posted on 07/10/2014 8:30:15 PM PDT by caww
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To: Ronaldus Magnus III

Latest is General SiSi is being called on to broker between Shities and Sunni’s in Iraq. Will be interesting if he does.

SiSi reminds me of BiBi....both know their job and their people....both will do whatever is needed to protect their country...and it’s people.


72 posted on 07/10/2014 8:35:07 PM PDT by caww
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Let the big dog eat, Benjamin.


73 posted on 07/10/2014 8:54:08 PM PDT by NonValueAdded ("The Arab Spring is over. Welcome to the Jihadi Spring." Jonah Goldberg)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Time to decapitate them!


74 posted on 07/10/2014 9:40:54 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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To: Vendome

The Arabs have never defeated an equal fighting force in entire history. They are basically cowards and bullies. They can behead a hapless soul with his hands tied behind back. And they can set bombs and detonate them while hiding safely from a distance. But they turn tail and run when confronted by a real fighting force. Arabs outnumber Jews in Israel by a factor of 100. Yet the Arabs have never won a war with Israel and never will.


75 posted on 07/10/2014 9:45:54 PM PDT by entropy12 (Obummer = worst president ever, Jimmy Carter is relieved!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Just damn! Israel isn’t going to lay down and take it.

Who knew?

/s


76 posted on 07/10/2014 11:50:50 PM PDT by DoughtyOne
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Hand them theri REARENDS!


77 posted on 07/11/2014 3:44:42 AM PDT by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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To: entropy12

AMEN!


78 posted on 07/11/2014 3:45:35 AM PDT by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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To: Ronaldus Magnus III

Revolt is starting in America.


79 posted on 07/11/2014 4:05:59 AM PDT by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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To: Truth29

Look for Bibi to give the famous “Bronx salute”.


80 posted on 07/11/2014 4:07:00 AM PDT by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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