'Trying to spoil the show.' Deif
Photo: AFP
Israel urges crackdown on Hamas
In video released by the terror organization, man identifying himself as Hamas commander Mohammed Deif describes Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as a victory for armed resistance, rejects calls for his group to disarm; senior
Israeli officials on Saturday urged the Palestinian Authority to crack down on Hamas after the Islamic group released a videotape of a top bomb maker who has eluded Israeli forces for more than a decade.
Terror Mastermind
News agencies
Mohammed Deif, master bomb-maker believed to be behind a string of suicide bombings that have killed hundreds of Israelis, says, ‘We should keep the arms of resistance raised side by side with the political work’; urges Hamas, Palestinian Authority to ‘choose dialogue to resolve any differences in order to preserve Palestinian blood and our national achievements’
In the video, the man, identifying himself as Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, described Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as a victory for armed resistance, rejected calls for his group to disarm, and vowed to continue attacks on Israel until the Jewish state is erased from the map.
Gideon Meir, a senior Foreign Ministry official, said the Gaza pullout was aimed in part at improving the atmosphere between Israel and the Palestinians. He said the comments by Deif threaten the chances of resuming peace talks, which Israel has said will depend on the Palestinian Authority's willingness to disarm militant groups.
"Mohammed Deif is an arch-terrorist; he has personally masterminded hundreds of suicide bombings and is personally responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent
Israelis," Meir said.
"His natural place is behind bars. His declaration proves again why the Palestinian
Authority must fulfill its duty and fight the Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades," he added, referring to the major armed Palestinian groups.
"The disengagement opened a prospect of hope for the Palestinian people and Deif is trying to spoil the show," he said.
