Significant change in Gaza needed. Diskin
Photo: Yoav Galai
Shin Bet: Prepare for mini-Lebanon in Gaza
General Security Service Chief Yuval Diskin tells cabinet ‘if we don’t make significant change in Gaza, such as block arms smuggling routes and stifle Hamas’ attempts at improving its capabilities, situation in Gaza will be similar to that in Lebanon’; IDF Intelligence chief: Palestinians deeply influenced by Israel’s reaction to Hizbullah rocket attacks
Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin told cabinet ministers Sunday that “a very problematic situation is being created in Gaza. Within the next two to three years, barring any major changes, we may find ourselves in a Hizbullah-type situation, meaning bunkers, underground tunnels, infrastructure and dangerous weapons.”
Diskin added: If we don’t make a significant change, such as block the arms smuggling routes, including Philadelphi, stifle Hamas’ attempts at improving its capabilities via an alternative Palestinian government, the situation in Gaza will be similar to that in Lebanon.”
Diskin’s comments came apparently in the wake of the recent criticism directed against the security establishment for not warning on Hizbullah’s rocket arsenal in time.
Diskin said that extreme pressure is being exerted on terror group leaders, including Hamas’ political leader Khaled Mashal, to carry out attacks in Israel. He said that prisoners in Israel and their relatives are also being pressured into carrying out attacks as acts of protest against Israel’s operation in Lebanon, adding that the Palestinian security services have been highly weakened as of late.
IDF Intelligence Chief Major General Amos Yadlin told government ministers that the Palestinians are deeply influenced by Israel’s reaction to the Hizbullah rocket attacks, and warned that the Lebanese group and Hamas will do everything in their power to carry out a major terror attack in Israel from Lebanon, Gaza or the West Bank.”
