TEL AVIV – Hamas, isolated and financially constrained, is considering launching a new rocket offensive against the Jewish state, according to a senior Israeli defense official.
The official said Hamas, which governs Gaza, has been disappointed by the lack of financial support from Arab countries and Iran. The jihadist group is having trouble paying salaries to tens of thousands of its workers in Gaza, including members of Hamas’s “military wing,” the official said.
At Sunday’s military parade celebrating Hamas’ 27th anniversary, numerous Hamas officials heaped praise on Iran. Many here see the praise as a clear attempt to position Hamas to obtain additional funding from Tehran.
The Iranian regime has distanced itself from Hamas over failure to help counter the insurgency against Iran’s closest ally, Syria President Bashar al-Assad.
The defense official said Israel believes the public display of Hamas fighters and rocket capabilities at Sunday’s parade coupled with the recent test-firing of rockets into the Mediterranean Sea were meant to signal Hamas’ willingness to start a new confrontation with Israel if demands are not met.
The demands include international aid, the opening of Gaza’s borders with Egypt and the expansion of a so-called fishing zone in the Mediterranean along the Gaza coast. Israel fears Hamas will import materials to replenish the group’s damaged militant infrastructure, such as cement for the reconstruction of terror tunnels.
The public displays of militancy are also seen as a message to Iran that Hamas is ready to restart a rocket offensive against Israel if Tehran is more generous with funds and if such an offensive aids Iranian policy goals, the defense official said.
Contacted by WND, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum declined to comment on any Hamas plans for a rocket war beyond stating that Hamas “is ready to respond to any Zionist aggression.”
Sources within Hamas said the group’s politburo decided against starting an offensive with Israel unless the Jewish state provokes Hamas.
However, the defense official said Hamas’ current desperation can cause it to make “unexpected” moves.
During the most recent conflict between Israel and Hamas last summer, the Israel Defense Forces reported Palestinian terror groups inside Gaza fires more than 4,564 rockets and mortars into Israel. Rockets targeted major Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, sending much of the Israeli population daily into bomb shelters.
