RAMALLAH Ñ The Hamas organization has launched an
Internet course in the production and assembly of explosives.
Israeli and Palestinian sources said Hamas, which claims responsibility for
the lion's share of Palestinian suicide bombing attacks, has established an Internet
site that offers Muslims instructions in the production of bombs, rockets
and light aircraft. They said the news of the site has spread throughout the
West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The instructions can be found on the web site of Hamas's Izzedin Kassam
military wing, Middle East Newsline reported. The site, called "Military Academy," offers 14 lessons in
bomb-making as part of what the Islamic group said is a campaign to expand
the pool of bomb-makers.
The courses include lessons on the production of a belt filled with
explosives that can be worn by a suicide bomber. Other courses demonstrated
how to manufacture RDX plastic explosives, material that is said to be
difficult to detect.
The Hamas online course also provides instructions on
preparing regular bombs as well as methods to identify targets.
Izzedin Kassam said the process of producing suicide bombs requires
three people. They are a bomb expert, an electrician and a tailor to sew the
belt to the proportions of the suicide attacker.
The Hamas site is interactive and those taking the course can correspond
with the movement's bomb instructors. But the military wing warned that
those who miss one lesson will not be allowed to continue the course.
The site said those who ask a question about a lesson that already was
given would be removed from the course. Those taking the course would
also be required to take tests after each stage.
Hamas has made extensive use of the Internet to relay instructions and transfer funds.
Last month, Israeli authorities arrested three
Palestinians who had been corresponding with Hamas in their attempt to
poison patrols of a popular Jerusalem cafe. Officials said the Palestinian
recruits failed to understand the instructions relayed over the Internet.
Israeli sources said Hamas has used the Internet as part of its drive to
restore its infrastructure in the West Bank. They said some 100 Hamas agents have been arrested in the West Bank since April.
Hamas and the Lebanese-based Hizbullah have cooperated in recruiting
suicide bombers. The
mothers of some of the Hamas suicide bombers have appeared on Hizbullah's Al Manar
television, widely viewed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and praised the
decision of their children to kill themselves in attacks on Israel.
But one would-be suicide bomber surrendered to Israeli military
authorities outside the northern West Bank of Nablus on Tuesday. Palestinian sources
said the young man had been pressured by his mother to abandon plans for a
suicide mission.