Egyptian Leaders Invite Hamas Leaders to “Get Out of Gaza!”

Ron Ross
Bridges for Peace News
Email: ronrossbfp@hotmail.com

25th January 2008

Hamas terrorist leader is not seen as a secure job choice right now. Ever since the Hizbullah arch-killer Imad Mughniyeh was assassinated in Damascus gang leaders have hurled accusations at one another. Everyone from Israel, Hamas and even an insider Hizbullah rival were suggested as the murder mastermind.

The security around Mugniyeh was reportedly breached when he visited a Hamas command post in Damascus.

Now the death-threats have a much more fervent tone. This week Egyptian officials advised Gaza City Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh to ‘get out of town.’ They warned the prime minister of the disbanded Palestinian National Authority Cabinet that he and other Hamas leaders were on an Israeli hitlist. Gaza was no longer a safe-place for them, they said.

According to a Fatah informer Israel plans to eradicate any Hamas hardliner who stands between Israelp and the plan to return Gaza to Fatah. They said Israel had set up plans to assassinate the Hamas leaders ‘in record time.’

Following the accusations which came after the murder of Mugniyeh, there is every reason to believe this report may also have more twists and turns than first seen.

Israel and Fatah are in the process of so-called ‘peace-talks.’ Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert pleaded for support from the USA recently keep the dividing of Jerusalem off the table as it would most likely cost him his office when pursued.

The religious party Shaz have signaled they will resign from the Olmert coalition rather than support the dividing of the holy city. The US apparently agreed to the deal, although the insiders are speculating the discussions have continued between negotiators at a less senior level.

Is the Israeli plan to get rid of Hamas in Gaza part of the careful overtures of support offered to Fatah? Fatah wants the territory returned. Olmert signaled a more aggressive approach to the region when he told a meeting of U.S. Jewish leaders in Jerusalem that the Israeli army has a ‘free hand to respond, to reach out and to attack everyone (who has) any kind of responsibility on behalf of Hamas.’

But is this announcement from Egypt a ‘disinformation’ ploy. Was the story initiated by a Fatah ‘informant’ with the sole intent of hitting a nerve with the Hamas.

It was reported Imad Mugniyeh was killed by a bomb fitted to the headrest in his jeep. When Cuban President Fidel Castro retired analysts recalled the time someone attempted to kill him by planting a bomb in his cigar.

The Hamas circle of trusted friends has been severely reduced in recent days. Suspicion and fear dominate.

The entire scenario puts stark images to the scripture in John 10: 10 “The devil comes to steal, kill, maim and destroy but Jesus came to give us life and that life more abundantly.”

Israelis are becoming very impatient with the lack of aggressive action to halt the activities of Hamas and in particular the missile barrage that continues to assail Sderot in the north.

A military adviser warned me this week the biggest deterrent for an all out attack until now has been the weather. Israel has experienced snowfalls and welcome rains. He told me to watch the skies and check the weather reports. It may well be from those sources we will get to predict the military action which is strongly predicted.

The various terrorist groups need to be aware. Israel is not likely to repeat the muddled uncertainties of the last effort. General Gabi Ashkenazi warned the IDF to be ready when he met with his soldiers this week.

There have been several earthquakes across Lebanon and Israel recently. There may well be an aftershock coming that will impact the Middle East and maybe the US Presidential elections will feel the impact as well.

I found it interesting this week when reading the Australian press. The stories wandered through such amazing items as Russell Crowe’s weight; Kylie’s success at the Brit Awards; Andrew Symonds value to India cricket. Is that heaven or escapism?

It’s your call.

Ron Ross resigned as Senior Pastor of Noosa Baptist Church to become National Director of Bridges for Peace Australia. Three years ago he joined Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem to establish international radio news and an audio service webcast at www.bridgesforpeace.com Ron was Sports Editor of WINTV for 20 years before joining the full-time missions. You can contact Ron at : ronrossbfp@hotmail.com