Hamas setting up West Bank takeover

JERUSALEM – Security organizations affiliated with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah organization were "astonished" to discover Hamas the past few months began setting up a so-called military wing in a West Bank city long dominated by Fatah, according to security sources speaking to WND.

Hamas leaders in recent weeks vowed their organization would seize the West Bank if Israel hands the territory to Abbas, just as Hamas seized the Gaza Strip last June, overtaking all U.S.-backed Fatah security compounds in less than one week.

At last month's U.S.-backed Annapolis summit, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert committed to aim at concluding an agreement to create a Palestinian state by the end of 2008, with Israel widely expected to evacuate most of the West Bank and eastern sections of Jerusalem.

According to Palestinian security officials, a recent Fatah investigation discovered Hamas the past two months attempted with some success to establish a military wing in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, a longtime Fatah stronghold although the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad terror group also has a presence there.

(Story continues below)

Hamas gunmen in Jenin were thought to be numbered in the dozens, but the PA found out Hamas purchased over 600 high-powered assault rifles and distributed them to fighters in the city, the security officials said.

The officials said Fatah raids confiscated about 100 rifles, but they believe 500 more were handed out by Hamas in Jenin.

Fatah's investigation also found that members of its declared military wing, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror group, were recruited by Hamas in Jenin with higher paychecks, security officials said.

The issue is significant since Hamas' infiltration of Fatah in the Gaza Strip was thought to have been the Achilles heel that led to the terror group's takeover last summer of the entire Gaza Strip.

The investigation also found many Fatah Brigades gunmen granted amnesty last June by Olmert sold their weapons to Hamas, which stockpiled and distributed the rifles in Jenin, said the Palestinian security officials. The amnesty was granted as an Israeli gesture to bolster Abbas against Hamas and was conditioned on Brigades terrorists handing in their weapons to the PA for a fee.

Fatah's investigation was initially sparked because of a noticeable spike in the price of assault rifles in the West Bank, the security officials told WND. The officials said Fatah also confiscated $350,000 in cash from a Hamas official in the West Bank city of Ramallah last week. They said the cash was meant to purchase more weapons for Hamas gunmen in the West Bank.

The investigation comes amid multiple signs Hamas is preparing for an eventual West Bank takeover.

Hours before the start of last month's Annapolis summit aimed at handing the West Bank to Abbas' organization, WND reported Israel cracked down on a cell of leading Palestinians suspected of setting up a Hamas military arm for the terror group to take over the strategic territory.

Israeli security officials said they were concerned Abbas' Fatah organization in the West Bank is "heavily infiltrated" by Hamas just as it was in Gaza.

Hamas' infiltration of Fatah in Gaza was so extensive, according to top Palestinian intelligence sources, it included the chiefs of several prominent Fatah security forces, including Yussef Issa, director of the Preventative Security Services, the main Fatah police force. Issa regularly coordinated security with the U.S. and Israel.

Israeli security officials said they were also concerned Abbas is not strong enough in the West Bank to impose law and order without the help of the Israeli army. According to the officials, Fatah's intelligence apparatus routinely hands the Israel Defense Forces lists of Hamas militants that threaten Fatah rule, requesting that Israel make arrests.

Hamas leaders in recent weeks warned they would take over the West Bank if Israel pulls out.

At a Gaza rally last month, Hamas' leader in Gaza, Mahmoud al-Zahar, said, "Israel thinks Fatah in the West Bank is there to serve it, but we will take over the West Bank the way we took over Gaza."

Nizar Rayyan, a senior Hamas leader in Gaza, stated Hamas will soon control Abbas' office in the West Bank.

"In the autumn, Hamas supporters will be praying in the Muqata compound in Ramallah (the site of Abbas' presidential office)," he said. "We are now praying at the presidential compound in Gaza, just as we said we would. Abbas' regime will fall like a leaf come autumn."

To interview Aaron Klein, contact Tim Bueler Public Relations by e-mail, or call (530) 401-3285.

---

Special offers:

"Schmoozing with Terrorists: From Hollywood to the Holy Land Jihadists Reveal their Global Plans – to a Jew!"

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:

'Peace partner' ready to unite with Hamas

Israeli leader admits Palestinian chief 'not capable partner'

Accusation: Israeli leader long planned dividing Jerusalem

Israel covered up murder by Abbas' group?

Jews get 'bribed' to leave homes?

Hamas caught prepping for West Bank takeover

Israelis take to streets to protest Annapolis

Palestinian state by '08, says Bush

U.S. 'holding back reports critical of Palestinians'

Now Syria to attend Annapolis summit

Saudis calling shots at Annapolis peace summit?

Uprooted Gaza Jews still in trailer parks

Expelled Gaza Jews stuck in 'temporary' housing

Israeli teen refugees attempt suicide, drop out

Most Gaza Jewish refugees not yet compensated

Official: Jews expelled from Gaza 'victims'

Americans shocked Gaza evacuees still homeless

New homes for Gaza Jews: Tents in Tel Aviv

Gaza refugees suffer psychological ailments