U.S.-backed Fatah admits infiltration by Hamas

JERUSALEM – Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' U.S.-backed Fatah organization today officially admitted it has been thoroughly infiltrated by the Hamas terror organization.

The admission comes as the U.S. the past two days sent large quantities of weaponry to Fatah and has pledged to back Abbas' group against Hamas in the West Bank.

Hamas officials told WND today their terror group has infiltrated Fatah's security services and will obtain weapons the U.S. sends to Abbas.

Hamas officials also said it was "fruitless" for the U.S. to coordinate security with Fatah in the West Bank since Hamas agents working within Fatah will transmit the information to Hamas. They vowed to soon take over the West Bank.

(Story continues below)

WND first reported on Hamas' infiltration of Fatah last April, quoting a high-ranking Palestinian intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stating Fatah is extensively infiltrated by Hamas.

Today, an official Fatah committee released a 200-page investigation into the conduct of Fatah leaders and security officers who lost the Gaza Strip to Hamas last month. The report found the Fatah security forces in Gaza were infiltrated by "hostile elements," including Hamas.

A senior member of the inquiry committee said some 60 Fatah security officers would face courts-martial shortly.

A senior Abbas aide, Nabil Amr, who served on the committee, told reporters Fatah security forces were in a "state of infiltration" by Hamas.

Although the report wasn't made public, Palestinian diplomatic sources said top Fatah commanders up to the chief of the Palestinian Preventative Security Services in Gaza are suspected of working for Hamas. The PSS is one of the largest Palestinian security forces and regularly coordinates security with the U.S.

Hamas officials and Hamas-allied militants told WND their organizations still have a presence within Fatah.

"Fatah hasn't yet touched the extent of our infiltration," said Abu Abdullah, an officer in Hamas' co-called military wing.

Muhammad Abdel-El, spokesman for the Hamas-allied Popular Resistance Committees, told WND his group and Hamas have infiltrated "very deep" in Fatah.

Hamas leader today vowed to stage a coup in the West Bank similar to their takeover of Gaza last month in which they overtook all U.S.-backed Fatah security compounds in the territory and reportedly seized large quantities of U.S. weaponry.

Besides obtaining American weapons, WND broke the story that terrorist groups, including Hamas and the Popular Resistance Committees, claim they seized large quantities of CIA security files stored at major Fatah compounds.

"The moment of our taking control in the West Bank is not far away," said Abu Yousuf, a senior aid to Hamas leader in Gaza Ismail Hineyah.

Abu Oubaida Al Jara, chief of Hamas' so-called special forces in Gaza, called on all Fatah members "not to resist because the Islamic project (Hamas) is coming very soon to the West Bank."

More American weapons shipped to Abbas

Fatah's admission of infiltration by Hamas and the terror group's vows to take over the West Bank and seize U.S. weapons come as the U.S. today sent more weaponry to Fatah. Truckloads containing 3,000 assault rifles were delivered to Fatah security compounds in the West Bank cities of Jericho and Ramallah. Israeli and Palestinian security sources speaking to WND said the weapons, which were trucked in from Jordan, were financed by the U.S. and E.U

Yesterday, a U.S. shipment of 3,000 assault rifles, 1 million rounds of ammunition and a truckload of bullet proof vests also was received by Fatah security forces.

Palestinian security sources said more weapons are expected to arrive tomorrow.

The Committees' Abdel-El vowed to obtain the American weapons:

"We already are planning to obtain the weapons with help from the Palestinian resistance, including elements in Fatah, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and the Fatah Security Services," he told WND.

"Abbas, the Zionists and the Americans didn't learn from the lessons of Gaza. While your (American) government transferred weapons in a conspiracy against Hamas in Gaza, we warned we would take control and this happened. We say the same thing this time. These weapons transferred to Abbas will be obtain[ed] by us," said Abdel-El.

Are you a representative of the media who would like to interview the author of this story? Let us know.

Related offers:

Definitive work on Mideast – available only here!

"Everlasting Hatred: The Roots of Jihad"

"The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades)"

"Israel in Crisis"

"Myths and Facts: A Guide to the Arab-Israeli Conflict"

Perfect gift! Compass that points to Jerusalem

Previous stories:

Terror group vows to obtain U.S. weaponry

New Fatah terror group 'to target Israel'

Sources: Amnesty granted to entire terrorist group

Terror group gets amnesty