Fatah's Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade in Kalandiya
Fatah's Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade in KalandiyaFlash 90

The Al Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, took reponsibility for a shooting attack that it claims to have executed Sunday south of Bethlehem. Fatah is headed by Palestinian Authority head Mahoud Abbas, considered “moderate” by many Israelis.

The announcement read:

"Out of a belief in the right and legitimacy of the struggle and defense of the land of Palestine and its nation, from the enemy's impurity, and as support for our compatriots in the Gaza Strip, which stands firm in the face of the Zionist machine of oppression and destruction... and with the grace of Allah and his assistance, our Fatah battalions – the Al Aqsa / Palestine Brigades – succeeded in opening fire at a patrol and a group of Zionists who were in front of the entrance to the El Aroub camp, at 1:08 a.m. Sunday, August 10 2014. The gunfire caused several casualties in the enemy ranks and large occupation forces were deployed to the location. We stress that our fighters returned safely to base.”

"We in the Al Aqsa Brigades warn the enemy from the continuation of our painful blows. Fire will be met with fire, killing with killing and bombing with bombing. When the Al Aqsa Brigades say, they do; when they promise they carry ou; they attack and their blows are painful. Allahu Akbar and bless Allah. This is an ongoing struggle until the victory or until we fall dead for the path of Allah. The Al Aqsa / Palestine Brigades.”

Several weeks ago, the Al Aqsa Brigades announced that they were launching an “open campaign” againt Israel and instructed all squads under their command to carry out terror attacks in Judea, Samaria and “the Israeli depth.” The organization took responsibility for several attacks, including a gunfire attack near El Hader, west of Bethlehem, several days ago.