Israel Matzav

Gaza on its way to becoming like Lebanon

Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin warned during a government meeting Sunday that "the intensification of terror sources in Gaza is a strategic problem which, if not treated properly, will result in a reality like in Lebanon. We don't have to wait three years and then launch investigations."

Diskin said that the "Philadelphi Route is breached, and recently a number of tons of explosives and hundreds of weapons have entered. Recently, USD 1.5 million has been smuggled in through Rafah by the Hamas Agriculture Ministry, and terror experts have also entered."

The Shin Bet chief recommended reviewing all agreements on the passages, which he said "are ineffective in actuality under Egyptian monitoring."

"In Judea and Samaria Hizbullah is smuggling in money in large sums and encouraging terrorist attacks against Israel. Nasrallah is perceived as a national hero among terror organizations, and they are attempting to learn from him. They understand the power of the antitank missile and guerilla fighting, as using underground bunkers," said Diskin.

Regarding the internal Palestinian situation, Diskin said that "Fatah's situation is very serious. It hasn't been in such a low ebb since its formation. If positive things from its perspective don't happen soon, chances are good that Fatah in Gaza will crumble and disappear. The only refuge, the Preventative Security force, crashed under Hamas pressure – Hamas is kidnapping members of the force every week."

"Members of the Preventative Security force feel that they are not backed by Mahmoud Abbas and the party, their morale is down and they are looking for a way to reach coexistence with Hamas. The war in the north and internal processes in Palestinian society are preventing Abbas from offering that 'last recommendation' of which we have been hearing about for a number weeks, based on national Palestinian unity, ending of rocket fire, a calming down period – Tahadiya – and a solution to the kidnapped soldier issue. There is an agreement on the suggestion in theory only, because a number of factions haven't agreed. There is also a drop in the number of Qassam rockets, but this is characteristic of a period when there is dialogue between the factions," added Diskin.

The Shin Bet chief said 49 ministers have been arrested up to now, including members of parliament and senior Hamas members. Four of the ministers have been released, one is still being interrogated, and an indictment sheet is being prepared against another.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:17 PM