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| Middle East |
| Hamas Founder Arrested by Israeli Troops |
| 2003-03-03 |
| Israeli troops raiding a Gaza refugee camp arrested a Hamas founder Monday, targeting the political leadership of the Islamic militant group for the first time in 29 months of fighting. Eight Palestinians, among them a pregnant woman, were killed in clashes in the camp. Troops also blew up four homes in the Bureij camp, including that of Hamas co-founder Mohammed Taha, 65, who was wounded in clashes with soldiers, the army said. Several adjacent houses and a mosque were damaged by the blasts. Taha's five sons - all senior Hamas activists - were also arrested. One son, Ayman, who was also wounded Monday, is the assistant of the top Hamas bombmaker and No. 1 on Israel's wanted list, Mohammed Deif, the army said. Following in Dad's footsteps. The arrests signaled a turning point in Israel's dealings with Hamas, which has killed hundreds of Israelis in shootings and bombings. Since the outbreak of fighting in September 2000, Israel has killed scores of Hamas militants and rounded up hundreds of activists, but left the political leadership in Gaza alone. "This is a continuation of the escalated aggression against our people and our holy places," Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat told The Associated Press. His Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat called for U.S. intervention to stop Israel's actions, saying that "silence to these crimes is an encouragement for their reoccurrence." Mohammed Taha founded Hamas in 1987, along with the group's spiritual leader, Sheik Ahmed Yassin. Since then, the group has emerged as Arafat's biggest political rival. Yasser's crying on the outside, laughing on the inside. Mohammed and Ayman Taha were among about 400 suspected Islamic militants Israel deported to Lebanon for a year in 1992. An Israeli army spokeswoman, Maj. Sharon Feingold, said Taha "is one of the most senior Hamas activists and terrorists, and I am happy to say he is in our hands." She said the raid "is a clear message to the terrorists that ... there's a price to be paid." Hamas said Taha's arrest was a serious blow, but that the group would continue attacking Israelis. "Israel will pay a high price for its crimes," said a spokesman, Abdel Aziz Rantisi. No doubt planning dire revenge, etc. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #3 Hah - That's a fantastic idea Frank! |
| Posted by: Scooter McGruder 2003-03-03 10:00:35 |
| #2 Sharon should publicly thank Yasser for his assistance in rounding up Hamas - then watch the s&*t hit the fan |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-03-03 08:34:27 |
| #1 Hamas had a slight exemption, because they were more of a pain in the butt to Arafat than they were to Israel. With the escalation in the Gaza area, the bye given to Hamas goes out the window. And, hey, Gaza is a lot smaller than the West Bank, making it somewhate easier to find the riff raff. |
| Posted by: Chuck 2003-03-03 08:13:45 |