Israel Matzav

So much for ISIS not working with Hamas

Greetings from 38,000 feet above flyover country. I'm on my way from Boston to.... Chicago.

So much  for that story about ISIS wanting to throw Hamas out of Gaza.  Now, they're the best of friends. In fact, according to at least one Israeli General, Hamas provided the weapons used by ISIS to kill more than 70 Egyptians earlier this week.

Israel has "clear information that Hamas is supporting the Wilayat Sinai, which belongs to Daesh," Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, the coordinator of government activities in the territories, claimed, referring to the Islamic State group in one of its acronyms.

He added that Hamas provided the Islamist group weapons and logistical support, and even smuggled wounded militants for treatment in the Gaza Strip. "I am confident in this [information] and I have proof," he said.

The IDF has decided that this entire story is too close for comfort: Route 12 near the Egyptian border will be closed from 5:00 am Friday Israel time.

The decision was made by Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon with the recommendation of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot. The closing of the road was defined by the military as temporary.

One of the attacks was carried out only four kilometers from the border with Israel, an officer in the IDF Southern Command said on Thursday. In response, the Israeli military has intensified its intelligence gathering efforts in the area.

Temporary until what? Until ISIS is defeated? Until Hamas stops supporting them? Doesn't sound like much of a plan, does it?

The Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and Egypt reopened on Thursday after it was closed for 24 hours due to the battles raging in Sinai. However, the Nitzana crossing remained closed.

The real question is whether the Gaza crossings are open - and if yes, why?

Labels: Egypt, Egyptian-Israeli border, Eilat, Hamas, IDF, ISIS, Islamic State, Sinai, weapons acquisition

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:40 AM