Israel Matzav

Proudly sponsored by the Islamic Republic of Iran

Islamic Jihad has told Reuters that it does not expect the current truce with Israel to last.

"We are proud and honored to say that the Islamic Republic of Iran gives us support and help," Abu Ahmed, the spokesman for Islamic Jihad's armed wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, told Reuters in a rare, long interview.

He denied widespread reports that Iran had provided his group with arms and smiled at suggestions it now receives more sophisticated weaponry from Tehran than Hamas. He also declined to comment on rumors that the Jihadists were trained by Iran.

"What I will say is that we have every right to turn to every source of power for help," said the burly, bearded Abu Ahmed, occasionally flicking a string of yellow prayer beads.

Islamic Jihad's latest confrontation with Israel left 12 Palestinian gunmen and one Israeli civilian dead. The fighting ended only after neighbouring Egypt brokered a ceasefire with both parties, but Abu Ahmed did not see it lasting long.

"Theoretically the calm has been restored, but in practice it hasn't really," he said. Israel, he said, is itching for a fight in Gaza following last month's prisoner-swap accord, in which Israel released 477 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Gilad Schalit, an Israeli soldier held by Hamas since 2006.

Israel says it attacks only in self-defense.

...

"The Al-Quds Brigades really surprised Israel, forcing them to rethink their assessment of us ... I don't think they realized we had that weaponry," said Abu Ahmed, indicating the vehicle was immediately hidden underground after the attack.

Al-Quds Brigades cells are dotted around Gaza and Abu Ahmed said there was huge demand from youngsters to join.

"We take some, but can't accept everyone ... It is a question of quality, not quantity," he said, giving for the first time an estimate of the strength of the force. "We have at least 8,000 fighters, who are fully equipped."

The problem is that we make the IDF fight with one arm tied behind its back. Otherwise, Israel could wipe them off the face of the earth.

It's time to give Islamic Jihad what they want.

He said Islamic Jihad's biggest problem was the Israeli armed drones that regularly buzz over Gaza seeking out operatives. "Warfare has changed. You can't just hide a gun in your jacket like you could in the 1980s," he said, adding that the Jihadist fighters were not afraid of sudden death.

"It is a good feeling to be under drone attack. When we chose the path of resistance, we opted either for martyrdom or victory. Martyrdom is the more desirable."

I agree. Let's use the drones to give them all the 'martyrdom' they want. Heh.

Labels: Gaza, Iran, Islamic Jihad, terrorist martyrs

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:46 PM