News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Shin Bet Israel Security Agency Chief Yuval Diskin told the cabinet on Sunday that senior Hamas officials in Gaza are speaking publicly about a long-term calm with Israel in exchange for a return to the June 4, 1967 borders as part of a challenge to the rival Fatah party having the lead role in negotiations with Israel. Diskin explained that the terrorist organization that controls Gaza is trying to end its isolation by the international community. He also noted an edge in popularity polls for Fatah and that international jihadists of the Al-Qaeda school continue to make their way into Gaza

Diskin said that Fatah is working in Jerusalem to prevent Jewish property purches, while Hamas was budgeted 21 million dollars by a Qatari sheikh to buy property and set up infrastructure.

He said Hamas is hampering Fatah representatives from attending Fatah's upcoming sixth convention, scheduled for August 4th in Bethlehem. Diskin noted that there is competition for power between Fatah's old and young guards.