Abbas official: Prepare for 'escalated battle'

Al Aqsa Brigades member with portrait of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (aljazeera.com)

JERUSALEM – A senior member of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party sent a letter to hundreds of Fatah members today asking them to prepare for an "escalated battle" against Israel while the Jewish state continues its military campaign in Lebanon, WND has learned.

The letter, written by Bani al-Hassan, a member of Fatah's Central Committee and a former Fatah Interior Minister, also was sent to members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terrorist group, the declared "military wing" of Abbas' party.

"You the fighters are the new generation that will bring us victory over Israel," Hassan wrote in the letter, which was obtained by WND from a Fatah official.

He compelled Fatah members to "be prepared" for an escalation against the Jewish state but did not mention particulars or give specific instructions.

Hassan also stated Fatah should ensure the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah "widens" so other Arab parties join the fight.

"It is on our interests that the conflict with Israel is not only led by the Palestinians but also by others," wrote Hassan.

Hassan today led a rally in Ramallah in which he reportedly informed participants he placed Fatah fighters on high alert "ahead of the possibility of escalation of the conflict in Lebanon, which could manifest itself in an escalation of Israeli actions [here]."

"I know what I'm talking about, and I know what I'm referring to," Hassan reportedly told the crowd.

Dozens of large pro-Hezbollah demonstrations have swept Judea, Samaria and Gaza since Hezbollah ambushed an Israeli patrol unit and kidnapped two soldiers July 12.

Earlier in a WND interview, Abu Nasser, second-in-command of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, warned Palestinian terrorist groups might aid Hezbollah by carrying out large-scale attacks inside Israel "much bigger" than suicide bombings.

Abu Nasser said his group has been working for more than a year on contingency plans to escalate violence in Israel should the Jewish state attack Iran, Syria or Lebanon.

"For the moment, we see that Hezbollah is winning, but if – Allah forbid – there is a turnover in the war, we will not hesitate to carry out the plans we have been working on since [the cease-fire signed last February]. We will use rockets. We will target Tel Aviv airport. We will not abandon our brothers," said Abu Nasser, speaking to WND from Nablus in northern Samaria.

The Al Aqsa Brigades is responsible for scores of rocket and shooting attacks, and – together with Islamic Jihad – for every suicide bombing since last February's cease-fire.

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