Israel Matzav

Hamas claims to have intercepted US arms shipment

I have noted several times that the United States has decided, with Israel's approval, to arm 'moderate' 'Palestinian President' Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen's Fatah group, in a bid to help the 'moderate' Fatah win its power struggle with Hamas. I have also noted that those weapons have been used against Israelis by Fatah.

Now, WorldNetDaily is reporting, based on conversations with "top Hamas officials," that Hamas carried out an ambush last night in which it obtained American weapons that had been transferred to 'militias' that are 'associated' with 'moderate' 'Palestinian President' Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen's Fatah group.

Will someone please remind me why the United States or Israel is taking sides in the 'Palestinian' civil war?

Palestinian officials and sources in the Israeli Defense Forces told WND four trucks filled with U.S. weapons were transported last night from Egypt through the Kerem Shalom crossing into Israel and from there delivered by an IDF convoy to Fatah security officials.

The American weapons shipment, the sources said, contained rocket-propelled grenades, more than 1 million rounds of ammunition and bullet-proof vests.

...

Today, while Force 17 were transporting the American weapons shipment for distribution to militias, Hamas ambushed the convoy and obtained the shipment, Hamas officials said.

A battle raged between Hamas gunmen and Force 17 guards accompanying the convoy, according to residents in the area who said a civilian was killed.

Hospital officials said 17 people, including two children, were wounded in the clash, the fiercest since violence this weekend in which 33 Palestinians were killed.

"We are in possession of American rocket-propelled grenades," a leader of Hamas' so-called military wing told WND.

"This will prove to the Americans their conspiracy of toppling our government will be used against them."

Fatah spokesman Tawfiq Abu Khoussa told reporters the attacked convoy was carrying generators, tents and medical equipment.

"There are no weapons at all," said Abu Khoussa, adding the ambush "represented a grave danger to the continuation of the (cease-fire) agreement."

Abu Khoussa did not explain why Fatah would transport tents and medical supplies in protected convoys.

Fatah sources confirmed to WND prior to the ambush that the U.S. weapons were received last night and were being transported today for distribution.

Hamas leaders told WND they will "prove to the world we obtained weapons."

...

During a WND interview last week, Hamas spokesman Abu Oubaida told WND his terror group will obtain any American weapons transferred to Fatah militias or purchased by Fatah using the incoming $86.4 million in U.S. aid.

"I am sure that like in the past, this $86 million from America will find its way to the Hamas resistance via the honorable persons in the Fatah security organizations, including in Force 17. I can confirm 100 percent that this money and purchased weapons will find its way to Hamas," said Abu Oubaida.

Read it all.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:16 PM