RAMALLAH — Hamas plans to form its own security agencies to operate parallel to those of the Palestinian Authority.
"The PA does not want us to enter the security agencies," a senior Hamas
operative said. "So, we will create our own agencies."
The operatives said Hamas would not encounter a problem in funding its
security programs. They said Iran has relayed commitments to help Hamas
establish security agencies and fill any funding shortfall as a result of a
cutoff from the West.
PA security officials said they would not accept Hamas fighters unless
they fulfill requirement standards. The officials said even Hamas insurgency
commanders must start at the entry level.
"We will have final authority to accept who we allow in the security
forces," a senior PA commander said. "If we give this up, then Hamas is in
complete charge."
The Islamic movement has not conceded on plans to take over PA security
agencies. They said Hamas expects to control several PA security agencies
once it leads a government.
"We expect the Hamas-led government to control the security services
which according to the law fall under the responsibility of the minister of
interior," said Hamas spokesman Mushir Al Masri, said.
[The Jerusalem District Court has awarded a $20 million judgement to
victims of a Hamas attack in 2002. This was the first time Hamas was
sucessfully sued in an Israeli court. It was not clear how the judgement
would be implemented as Hamas does not have assets in Israel.]
At the same time, Hamas operatives said thousands of trained fighters
would be recruited for police and security positions in the West Bank and
Gaza Strip. They said the Hamas troops would ensure internal security and
defend against Israeli attacks.
The senior operative said the Islamic fighters would launch operations
that have been avoided by the PA. He cited anti-crime missions as well as
the battle against drugs and corruption.
Hamas was even prepared to halt unauthorized Palestinian missile strikes
against Israel. The senior operative said Hamas forces would arrest Fatah,
Islamic Jihad and other gunners who violate the so-called calm, or Tahadiya,
with Israel. Over the last week, Fatah has increased attacks against Israel.
Since the Jan. 25 Hamas victory in the Palestinian Legislative Council
elections, PA security agencies have fallen in disarray. Palestinian sources
said the only security agency still operating as normal is the traffic
police.
Hamas said commanders have been drafting plans to organize security
intelligence agencies. Operatives said Hamas, which has weapons production
facilities, could quickly assume control over the entire Gaza Strip.
"We don't need the PA weapons," another Hamas operative said. "We have
enough factories to produce all the weapons and munitions we need."
[On Thursday, Israeli soldiers killed two Palestinian infiltrators along
the Gaza-Israel border. The infiltrators were said to have attacked the
Karni border terminal, which processes cargo to and from the Gaza Strip.]
[On Thursday, Israel reported that the PA released scores of Islamic
Jihad and other insurgents since the Hamas victory. Officials said 35 Jihad
insurgents convicted of security offenses were released from Jericho
prison.]
On Thursday, an Egyptian diplomat was abducted by suspected Fatah gunmen
in Gaza City. The Egyptian was identified as Hossam Musseli, who worked as a
military adviser in the Egyptian mission in the Gaza Strip.