Hamas would not carry out attacks against IDF forces
during the expected disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, Hamas leader Sheikh Hassan Yusuf said in an interview with The Jerusalem Post published Friday.
“We are pleased with (Israel’s) withdrawal,” he said.
Senior Hamas member Haled Mashal told Al Jazeera Thursday Hamas would continue with its resistance, including suicide bombings, following the pullout and as long as Israel continues its “occupation of the territories.”
Yusuf was a bit more restrained in his comments.
“What’s the point of fighting Israel if it wants to leave?” he said. “There is no need to fight them – even though this does not mean the resistance has ended.”
Hamas Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri reiterated Yusuf’s position.
“What is the purpose of attacking when they are leaving Palestine?” he said. “We will continue to restrain ourselves as long as the calm is maintained until the pullout.”
Razi Hamed, the editor of the Hamas-affiliated weekly magazine El-Risalah, said the organization may hold its right to open fire at Israel, not only for propaganda purposes, but also a means to settle local political disputes.
“A number of analysts claim last week’s mortar shell attack was Hamas’ way of diverting attention from internal arguments and ease the pressure applied by the Palestinian Authority,” he said.
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