Tag Archive for hamas

| May 14, 2012
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Egypt Cracking Down on Hamas’ Black Market Fuel

Egyptian security forces in northern Sinai are seizing black market fuel shipments headed for Gaza after deal to sell fuel to PA

Egyptian security forces seized four vehicles transporting unlicensed fuel in the northern Sinai over the weekend.

Security officials said the vehicles were carrying 1,640 liters of fuel in 82 tanks for sale on the black market. A driver was detained for investigation, they added.

Last week, security forces confiscated a truck in the Sinai carrying 10 thousand liters of fuel headed to tunnels under the border with Gaza Strip.

Egypt moved in February to shut down fuel deliveries to Gaza via the tunnel smuggling network developed by Hamas – sparking a fuel shortage that caused widespread blackouts. Continue Reading »

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| May 14, 2012
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Israel lets Gaza export clothes after long break

Egyptian-Israeli embargo on Gaza Strip export lifted as shipment of Palestinian clothing let out of Gaza en route to Britain

 

Israel allowed on Monday the export of Palestinian-made clothes from the Gaza Strip for the first time in at least five years, a Palestinian official said.

Raed Fattouh, who coordinates supplies into Gaza, said a truck carrying 2,000 pieces of mainly woolen garments were exported through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing towards an Israeli seaport en route to Britain.

Kerem Shalom crossing Photo: AP

Kerem Shalom crossing - Photo: AP

Home to 1.7 million people, Gaza has been under tight embargo by both Israel and Egypt since the Islamist group Hamas took control of the coastal enclave in 2007. Continue Reading »

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| May 13, 2012
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‘Fatah prisoners held by Hamas in Gaza go on hunger strike’

Sources say prisoners initiate hunger strike to protest their incarceration, show solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israel; Hamas denies Fatah claim that prisoners being held without trial.

 

Fatah prisoners held in Hamas jails in the Gaza Strip have gone on hunger strike in protest against their incarceration, Palestinian sources reported Sunday.

The hunger strike is also in solidarity with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons who have also been refusing food for the past few weeks, the sources said.

Palestinians in Gaza rally to free hunger strikers - Photo: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Palestinians in Gaza rally to free hunger strikers - Photo: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

The Fatah-affiliated Palestine Press News Agency published a letter from the striking prisoners in the Gaza Strip in which they hold Hamas responsible for their continued imprisonment.

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| May 10, 2012
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Best Buy Link to Hamas? Boycott Petition Breaks 10,000

An online petition to boycott the US-based Best Buy chain alleging the electronics store has ties to Hamas has passed the 10,000 mark.

A call to boycott the US-based Best Buy chain alleging the electronics store has ties to the Hamas terrorist organization is continuing its campaign to raise awareness about the issue. More than 10,000 people have signed the online petition set up on April 23 by Islamist Watch.org.

Hamas forces prevent Palestinian protesters from reaching southern Israel

Hamas forces prevent Palestinian protesters from reaching southern Israel - Reuters

The group alleged that Best Buy donated money to an event run by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).  Continue Reading »

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| May 10, 2012
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US c’tee moves to control Egypt, PA money

Palestinians would see funding withheld if they made any agreement with Hamas, didn’t actively work to end incitement.

WASHINGTON – A congressional subcommittee approved a foreign aid budget tightening control over money to Egypt and the Palestinians Wednesday following some members’ concern over developments in the region.

The House foreign operations appropriations subcommittee passed by voice vote the $40.1 billion foreign operations budget for 2013, which includes fully funding the $3.1b. US commitment to Israeli military assistance as part of the 10-year Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.

US Congress - Photo by REUTERS
US Congress – Photo by REUTERS
However, the legislation cut funding for UNESCO, after the UN body voted to recognize Palestine as a member state.
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| May 10, 2012
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New Hamas force in Gaza is foiling rocket attacks against Israel

The new 300 men anti-rocket force operates day and night, but will not act if Israel is the first to strike.

 

The Hamas government in Gaza has been operating a force over the past few months whose sole task is to prevent the firing of rockets into Israel.

Palestinians from Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements rallying in Gaza City, Friday, April 27, 2012.

Palestinians from Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements rallying in Gaza City - Photo by AP

Hamas, which has always championed jihad against Israel, is now using its authority to foil the firing efforts of cells from other organizations such as the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees.

The new force was formed by and is under the direct command of Hamas Interior Minister Fathi Hammad, who in the past has been considered an extremist in regard to Israel.

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| May 2, 2012
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Hamas says holding secret diplomatic talks with EU states

Europe and the U.S. have been rethinking Mideast policy since the Arab Spring uprisings toppled several pro-Western regimes in favor of Islamists.

Hamas has been holding secret political talks with five European Union member states in recent months, a senior member of the Gaza-based Islamist movement said on Wednesday.

Hamas rally - AP - 27.4.2012

Palestinians from Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements rallying for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, in Gaza City - Photo by AP

The EU’s official stance indicates that it will not deal with Hamas unless the group renounces violence and recognizes Israel.

Europe and the U.S. have been rethinking Mideast policy since the Arab Spring uprisings toppled several pro-Western regimes in favor of Islamists.

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| May 2, 2012
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Haniyeh Calls for Another Intifada to Support Prisoners

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh called for another Intifada, aimed at supporting Arab prisoners on hunger-strike against administrate detention.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh called for another Intifada on Monday, this time aimed at supporting Arab prisoners in Israeli jails, who initiated a mass hunger strike two weeks ago, the Ma’an news agency reported.

The hunger strike is the Palestinian Authority’s latest ploy to garner international sympathy in an attempt to bypass negotiations with Israel and win UN recognition as an independent state.

At a rally in Gaza City, Haniyeh urged Arab and Islamic nations to intervene and support detainees.

He called on ‘human rights groups’ to “break their silence” to free all ‘Palestinians’ jailed in Israel. Continue Reading »

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| May 2, 2012
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Meshal loses control of Hamas military wing as authority moves to Gaza leadership

Hamas denies Haaretz report on results of a secret election but senior officials confirm Ismail Haniyeh won by significant margin; Khaled Meshal expected to keep post but lose control of budget, military.

Hamas political bureau head Khaled Meshal, who now resides in Qatar, is expected to keep his post after an internal vote by the organization’s leadership later this month. But sources have told Haaretz that Hamas leaders have decided to transfer some of Meshal’s critical areas of authority to the leadership in the Gaza Strip, including control of the organization’s budget and of its military wing.

Hamas political bureau head Khaled Meshal

Hamas political bureau head Khaled Meshal - Photo by AP

Meshal’s sole control of Hamas’ purse strings has effectively given him control over Iz al-Din al-Qassam, the Gaza-based military wing of Hamas.

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| May 2, 2012
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IAF Strikes Terror Tunnel in Northern Gaza

IAF aircraft strike a terror tunnel in northern Gaza, after terrorists fire Qassam rockets at southern Israel.

IAF aircraft struck a terror tunnel in northern Gaza on Tuesday night, according to a statement by the IDF Spokesman.

The statement said that direct hits were identified and that all aircraft safely returned to their bases.

The attack came in response to recent rocket fire from Gaza at Israeli territory. Earlier on Tuesday, Gaza-based terrorists fired a Qassam rocket at southern Israel. The rocket exploded in an open area in the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council.

There were no reports of physical injuries or damages. Continue Reading »

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| April 29, 2012
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Navy takes suspicious Hamas vessel to Ashdod port

IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said Palestinian fishing boat had swerved from Gazan territorial waters.

 

The Navy escorted a suspicious Palestinian sea vessel to a naval port in Ashdod on Sunday after the boat failed to heed orders to return to its allocated waters.

Illustrative - Photo: Andreas Manolis / Reuters

Illustrative Photo: Andreas Manolis / Reuters

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said the Palestinian fishing boat from Gaza had swerved from Gazan territorial waters, and that a Navy boat first asked it to turn back.

After the request was ignored, shots were fired at the Palestinian boat’s engine, striking it. No injuries were reported.

The vessel was towed to Ashdod and its occupants were questioned by security services. Continue Reading »

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| April 28, 2012
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Iran seeks expanded IRGC presence in Gaza Strip

LONDON — Iran has been pressing to expand its presence in the Gaza
Strip.

Arab diplomatic sources said the Iranian leadership was urging the Hamas
government of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to allow additional military
trainers into the Gaza Strip.

The sources said Iran, particularly its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, wants to build a credible military force in the Gaza Strip to confront Israel in any future regional war.

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei greets Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. /AFP

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei greets Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. /AFP

“Iran wants Gaza to be as capable as Hizbullah,” a diplomatic
source said. “This means that Hamas and its allies would have tens of thousands of missiles and rockets that could paralyze central and southern Israel.” Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| April 24, 2012
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Gaza’s Hamas rulers will begin teaching Hebrew in schools

Education Ministry official says students should be introduced to as many languages as possible. PA: Shame Hamas-Fatah row affecting education

 

A senior Hamas official in Gaza said the territory’s terrorist rulers intend to begin teaching Hebrew for high school students beginning next year.

Students in Gaza Photo: AP

Students in Gaza - Photo: AP

Ziad Thabet, the Education Ministry undersecretary, said Monday the government is trying to find and train teachers. He says students should be introduced to as many languages as possible.

Hebrew, the chief language of Israelis, is now only offered as a university course.

Thabet says the Gaza government still needs to approve the decision, but it is likely to go ahead. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| April 23, 2012
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IDF boards ship allegedly smuggling arms to Gaza

Israel Navy vessels intercept ‘HS Beethoven’, detected about 160 miles from Israel flying a Liberian flag.

 

Commandos from the navy’s Flotilla 13 unit boarded a cargo ship, the HS Beethoven, in the Mediterranean Sea on Sunday night on suspicion it was trying to smuggle weapons to the Gaza Strip.

illustrative photo - Photo: Andreas Manolis / Reuters

illustrative photo - Photo: Andreas Manolis / Reuters

The ship, which was flying a Liberian flag, was intercepted by Israel Navy vessels approximately 260 km. from Israel’s coast. Commandos boarded the ship with the captain’s consent and began searching cargo containers for arms.

IDF officers said that searches aboard the ship could continue until the morning. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| April 20, 2012
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‘Hamas-Israel truce to be like with Lebanon, Syria’

Abu Marzouk also continued Hamas’ refusal to recognize any future peace treaty signed by Israel, PA.

 

Hamas rejects any peace treaty with Israel, but supports the possibility of establishing a lasting ceasefire such as the one between Israel and Lebanon or Israel and Syria, a top Hamas official said in a rare interview with an American-Jewish newspaper published on Friday.

Hamas leaders Khaled Meshaal, Moussa Abu Marzouk -Photo: Khaled Al Hariri / Reuters

Hamas leaders Khaled Meshaal, Moussa Abu Marzouk -Photo: Khaled Al Hariri / Reuters

Speaking with The Jewish Daily Forward, Hamas’s Mousa Abu Marzouk expressed views ranging from Hamas’ willingness for a “Hudna,” or truce, with Israel, to a possible willingness to change Hamas’ charter regarding Jews, to a refusal to recognize any future peace treaty signed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

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