IDF: Hamas uninterested in truce

IDF intelligence chief tells Cabinet it is in interest of terror groups to carry out attacks; says Abbas can become stronger if he regains composure
Diana Bahur-Nir

IDF Intelligence Chief Major General Aharon Zeevi Farkash told the Cabinet on Sunday that it is in the interest of the Palestinian terror organizations to wage terror attacks against Israel.

“Terror organizations are constantly trying to plan attacks, including kidnappings. Their aim is to hamper any move for normalization with Israel and therefore they want children in Gaza to starve and fight, which will strengthen them. In this sense they want to carry out attacks,” Farkash said.

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Commenting on the latest spate of violence between the Palestinian Authority and the terror organizations in the Gaza Strip, Farkash said that “Hamas is losing points and the PA has an interest in preserving the truce. The situation in Gaza has changed and they (the Palestinians) are more aware of this fact.”

Farkash added that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas “can become stronger if he regains his composure.”

As for the series of bloody confrontations between PA security officers and Hamas gunmen following Abbas' announcement of a ban on carrying arms in public, the head of the IDF’s intelligence unit said that “the crisis between the sides has been temporarily calmed down.”

Abbas met with Hamas and Fatah representatives in Gaza on Saturday in an effort to ease the tensions between the two sides who exchanged blames as to who is responsible for the chaotic situation in the tiny stretch of land.

Ismail Hanieh, Hamas leader in Gaza, and Said Siam, represented Hamas while Ahmad Khiles, Fatah secretary in Gaza, represented the ruling party Fatah.

During the session, the representatives agreed to maintain open channels of communication. The sides discussed recent tensions and decided that disagreements between the two organizations must be resolved through dialogue and not through an armed struggle.

Following the meeting, the sides said their strategic position stresses resistance to any internal war among Palestinian groups.