|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,21388906-401,00.html
Hamas Fortifying Gaza with Iranian Expertise
[The Australian] Abraham Rabinovich - Hamas is busily fortifying Gaza with the help of Iranian expertise and funding. "They're digging bunkers and tunnels 20 meters underground equipped with air conditioning," retired Israeli intelligence officer Brig.-Gen. Shalom Harari said. "That's something the Iranians taught them." Since Israel's withdrawal from Gaza 18 months ago, hundreds of Hamas fighters have gone to Iran for intensive military training sometimes lasting months, according to Shin Bet security service chief Yuval Diskin. Harari said: "Hamas and Iran have formed a strategic alliance. Iran sees Hamas as part of a pincer aimed at Israel." The other arm of the pincer is Hizbullah in Lebanon. Iran is also funding militant groups in the West Bank, which borders Israel's heartland. However, Israeli forces are still deployed in the West Bank and arrests of militants have prevented Hamas from gaining traction.