"We give them general
information about the explosives, those manufactured locally and the Israeli
ones, because those people always reach the dangerous places before we, the
bomb squad, do."
Al Ashi and the other Americans were said to have been identified as
Muslims who joined the U.S. military in the 1990s. The sources said the
Americans relayed U.S. military methods and training to Hamas for its war
against Israel.
The Hamas army has been equipped and trained by Iran. But Palestinian
sources said some Muslims in the United States have provided funding and
expertise to the new Hamas regime and military.
In May 2008, Hamas police launched a police training program assisted by
the U.S. trainers. The four-month training course has been directed by Maj.
Khalil Hejo and seven other officers.
"In the past, a brigadier general used to run this administration in
addition to 250 officer trainers, but now, seven trainers and I oversee the
whole program," Hejo said.
