[Ha'aretz] Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff - The conflict between Israel and Hamas is likely to escalate soon in light of the Israel Defense Forces' decision to try to thwart the establishment of a Hamas security service in the West Bank. In Gaza, Hamas' "Executive Forces" have become one of the organization's main power bases in its struggle against Fatah. Members of this force are well-equipped and very disciplined, and they have won almost all their street battles with Fatah gunmen. To arm its people, Hamas is making massive weapons purchases. In addition, it is trying to persuade Fatah security service members to desert to Hamas. Thus far, Hamas has apparently succeeded in organizing a few hundred armed men in several West Bank cities, the most prominent of which is Hebron.
2006-10-26 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive