Palestinian Authority media revealed Friday morning that senior Hamas terrorist Fawzi Barhoum, the group’s Gaza-based spokesman, hid in the house of a Fatah-affiliated friend during the ‘Cast Lead’ counterterrorism operation in Gaza. Barhoum fled to his friend’s house on the second day of fighting and remained there for several days.
Hamas and Fatah have been in a bloody battle between each other since 2006. Since the majority of their civil war occurred in Gaza, it is surprising that a spokesman of Hamas would seek refuge, or even maintain a friendship with the “enemy.”
The friend and other Fatah members gave him logistical support, Barhoum said, and he continued to broadcast Hamas messages from the Fatah stronghold. According to Barhoum, Israeli F16s fired a warning shot and then shelled a nearby home. Witnessing the residents flee, he noted that none of the residents were hurt.
Barhoum recalled writing on the first day of the war a farewell speech together with his fellow Hamas spokesman, Ismail Radwan. They mistakenly thought that Israeli tanks had approached the building and that they would be doomed. Remaining in the dark due to a power outage, the two had time to reconsider, and wait for the end of the war to instead write a ‘victory’ speech.
Barhoum stated in November 2006, “We reject the two-state solution, which is the vision of U.S. President George Bush, because it represents a clear recognition of Israel... Our position in this regard remains unchanged. We reject joining in any government that recognizes Israel.”
Despite Barhoum’s gratitude to his Fatah friend, Barhoum refused to deliver a televised statement during the war in front of a yellow flag, which symbolizes Fatah. “They will think that I have become a Fatah spokesperson,” he stated, opting for no backdrop and appearing before a bare white wall.
Several senior Hamas terrorists were killed in the military operation, including Hamas number three Said Siyyam and arch-terrorism Nizar Rayyan.