Israeli MI Chief: Hamas may attempt to sour Annapolis

Sunday November 11, 2007 20:54 by John Smith - IMEMC & agencies

Major-General Amos Yadlin, the head of Israel's Military Intelligence division, on Sunday indicated that the Hamas movement may attempt to derail the Annapolis conference should it appear that either gains or further losses are being made at the summit.

Major-General Amos Yadlin

Speaking at a meeting with the Israeli cabinet, Yadlin warned that perceived failure would be seized on by Hamas to launch an attack on the credibility of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, while perceived success could be disrupted by an attack on an Israeli target by the movement.

"A major attack on an Israeli target could force the Israelis into a harsh response, weakening support for a peace deal ...failure of the conference could bring about a serious risk of strengthening the extremists," Yadlin was quoted as stating.

During the meeting, the General also dismissed reports of a looming humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, stating that while the coastal region is "not a place to live in, there is no humanitarian crisis" in Gaza.

The Hamas movement, which won 2006's free and fair democratic elections, seized control of the Gaza Strip in June after several months of simmering tension and violence between the organization and its Fatah rival. Since its rise to power, the coastal region has been subjected to an ever-tightening embargo, with all commercial crossings closed by Israeli authorities and only essential supplies allowed to enter the Strip.

Most recently, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday declared that the Israeli government intended to proceed with its decision to limit Gaza's electricity supply, despite the Israeli Attorney-General earlier banning such a move.

palestine | peace process | news report johnsmithimemc at gmail dot com