[Omedia] Rafi Buchnik - The kidnappers of Peruvian press photographer Jaime Razuri in Gaza in January 2007 belonged to "the Islamic Army" headed by Mumtaz Durmush, and the negotiations to obtain his release took place via Fatah bodies aided by representatives of the "Popular Resistance Committees." The Durmush clan was also involved in the kidnapping of two Fox News correspondents, who were freed in return for a ransom payment of about $1 million, which was transferred via the Hamas government. Informed circles in Gaza believe that Durmush and his people tend to camouflage themselves behind various names such as "the Islamic Army," "Palestine Al-Qaeda," "the Sacred Jihad Brigade," and the "Muslim Swords Brigades of Fatah," to give an aura of power. Durmush and his men specialize in "quality" kidnappings and adroitly maneuver between Hamas and Fatah. Yet the trust between Hamas and the Durmush clan was broken in mid-December 2006, when two clan members belonging to Fatah were liquidated by armed Hamas members from the "Deri" clan. This led to a tactical rapprochement between Mumtaz Durmush and Abbas' right-hand man, Mohammed Dahlan, giving a moral boost to Fatah forces in Gaza competing against Hamas. Two of the three organizations involved in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in June 2006 are controlled by members of the Durmush clan: "the Islamic Army" led by Mumtaz and the "Popular Resistance Committees," led by Zakaria and Muataz Durmush. Serious doubt exists as to Hamas' control over Shalit's kidnappers. Hamas may have to present concessions from Israel to the Durmush clan and seek their approval for the deal, should one be reached. Thus, the main negotiating channel for Shalit's release, mediated by Egypt, might turn out to have no real foundation. The recent conflict, which created a rift between the Durmush clan and Hamas in Gaza, and the likelihood that the Durmushes will not easily concede their valuable stake in the kidnapping of the soldier, do not bode well for the negotiations. The writer is an IDF Colonel (res.).
2007-02-02 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive