Hamas, Jihad ready to storm settlements
Hamas and Islamic Jihad fight to claim credit for pushing Israel out of Gaza, promise to continue fight in West Bank; Israeli MK Ahmed Tibi calls for calm, says quiet will allow world to pressure Israel for further withdrawals
Fighting for credit: Thousands of black-clad Hamas members marched to the wall of Neve Dekalim Wednesday chanting “we shall be back” and "with blood and spirit, we will redeeom you, oh Palestine."
But at a small grocery shop in the Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis, locals don't share the terrorists' "optimism."
"There will be trouble,” said the shop’s owner. “I know that settlers plan to hide landmines in the ruins. They plan to hurt or kill us.”
After watching Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s speech to the nation Monday, a group of Palestinians said it was not convinced peace was around the corner.
“Hamas wants to fight; Sharon said he will destroy their hideouts. So, why would I be optimistic?” said one person, echoing the sentiments of the others.
Fighting for credit
Palestinian terrorist organizations, on the other hand, are battling feverishly to claim credit for the Israeli withdrawal.
Hundreds of masked, armed men, some in jeeps carrying Qassam Rockets, and children armed with Kalashnikovs and mortar launchers, have answered the calls of terror groups to demonstrate in recent days..
Hamas and Islamic Jihad already set up motorized strike teams to storm the evacuated settlements following the IDF’s withdrawal, and plan to arrive before Palestinian Authority security forces.
Sharon spokesman?
The PA recruited MK Ahmed Tibi to assist in the battle over public opinion. In a press conference held Tuesday Tibi explained: “If violence is curbed during the pullout and the days following it, international public opinion will require Israel to withdraw from the West Bank and Jerusalem.”
Tibi added that Sharon has taken a historic step by deciding to pull out of Gaza and the northern West Bank.
