Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal warned Friday that should another war erupt with Israel, the majority of battles would not be contained to the Gaza Strip as they were during the conflict last winter. Meshal told the London-based Al-Hayyat that Hamas was not interested in seeing another war, but would embark on steadfast defense of the Palestinian people should one begin. We would get our asses kicked yet again if we start another war, but we have super-secret defenses that will punish the Zionists elsewhere! (Just don't ask exactly where).
Meanwhile, a senior defense establishment official said Friday that Israel Defense Forces soldiers have been warned to stay on high alert amid Hamas plans to abduct Israeli troops. The Shin Bet cleared for publication on Thursday that it arrested a prominent Hamas activist in Gaza, who infiltrated into Israel with the intention to abduct an Israeli soldier, murder him, and negotiate over the body. This was not an isolated incident, the defense official warned on Friday. "The attempt along the Egyptian border to attack and abduct, which was foiled in December, was not a one-time procedure," said the official. "The terrorist organization won't hesitate at any chance to grab another bargaining chip against Israel."
The militant arrested in December was named as Salman Abu Atik, a 43-year-old Gaza resident and a prominent Hamas official who was involved in arms smuggling in the past. According to the Shin Bet, Atik was taking orders from another prominent Hamas man. It is believed that Atik exited Gaza through a tunnel into Egypt, where he attempted to enter Israeli territory. He was found in possession of $15,000 in counterfeit bills, a gun, and a silencer.
Following information released in Abu Atik's investigation, another Hamas man, Ibrahim Zuara, was arrested on December 31. Zuara, 44, was in possession of two explosive devices each weighing 31 kilograms. Zuara was apparently supposed to place the devices in heavily populated areas ten days after his entrance into Israel. Zuara also confessed to his involvement in planning the soldier abduction.
The Be'er Sheva court indicted Abu Atik on the charges of attempted murder, illegal army training, arms smuggling, and additional charges. On Feburary 2, Zuara was also indicted and charged with attempted murder, attempted kidnap, and arms smuggling among other charges.