(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - In the past few days, the third intifada has already begun, as violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers have increased in various parts of the West Bank. In recent weeks, PA President Mahmoud Abbas has apparently decided to endorse a new strategy towards Hamas. He now considers Hamas a political ally rather than an enemy. Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal recently reached a secret agreement on the need to launch a "popular intifada" against Israel in the West Bank and Gaza, Palestinian sources in Ramallah revealed. The two men believe that such an intifada at this stage would further isolate Israel and earn the Palestinians even more sympathy in the international arena, the sources said. Abbas and Mashaal are aware that the Palestinians are now not ready for another military confrontation with Israel. That is why they agreed on a "popular intifada" that would see Palestinian youth engage in daily confrontations with Israeli soldiers and settlers, especially in the West Bank. Their goal is to drag Israel into a confrontation with Palestinian civilians to embarrass the Israelis among the international community and force them to capitulate.
2012-12-19 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive