The Hamas terrorist group condemned the Palestinian Authority’s resumed security cooperation with Israel, a move that may jeopardize the latest attempt at Palestinian reconciliation.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) announced last week that it had recently resumed security cooperation with Israel after it broke off ties during the summer amid the Temple Mount crisis.
In a briefing with reporters, PA police chief Hazem Atallah said that the coordination had resumed two weeks ago.
The move to restore security coordination was criticized by the Hamas terrorist group, which controls the Gaza Strip and which recently signed a reconciliation agreement with the PA.
“Hamas is surprised by the PA’s resumption of security coordination and cooperation with the Zionist enemy, which is the equivalent of the greatest danger to the Palestinian people, its unity and its legitimate rights including the right to resist the occupation,” Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement.
Atallah also said that his forces are focused on seeking full security control of Gaza following the reconciliation agreement, which stipulates that the PA will take full administrative and security control of the Strip.
Atallah expressed doubt about the reconciliation agreement, saying that his forces cannot guarantee law and order unless Hamas is disarmed.
“It is impossible. How can I do security when there are all these rockets and guns? Is this possible? It doesn’t work,” he said, adding he would not accept any Hamas members in his police force and that it would be unacceptable for Hamas to have its own weapons.
“We are talking about one authority, one law and one gun” in Gaza, Atallah said.
As part of the reconciliation agreement, Hamas agreed to allow the PA to assume control in Gaza by Dec. 1. But Hamas has vowed that it will not disarm, and has reiterated its objective to “wipe out Israel.”
While the two Palestinian factions have previously announced reconciliation agreements, none have lasted.
By: JNS.org and United with Israel Staff
Life-Saving ATVs Stop Terrorists Before they Attack Innocent Israelis
Palestinian attackers have terrorized Israelis with stabbings, shootings, bombings and car-rammings throughout Israel, with no end in sight.
Specialized, state-of-the-art, compact, all-terrain ATVs that maneuver in tight spaces are Israel’s “secret weapon,” designed to pursue and capture terrorists BEFORE they attack. Life-saving ATVs are desperately needed to protect communities throughout Israel. Please donate generously!