An Israeli withdrawal from Gaza will not stop terrorism - at least not according to Mahmoud A-Zahar of Hamas. A-Zahar, who some assume is now the secret leader of Hamas after Abdel Rantisi was killed in an Israeli rocket attack two months ago, said yesterday, "We will not stop our attacks until the occupation is totally ended."
A-Zahar is outspokenly against the existence of the State of Israel. On May 22, 2003, he told BBC's Tim Sebastian, "I'm telling you frankly, the attitude of Islam is not to accept a foreign state in this area... This is the attitude of thousands and millions of [Moslems]."
A-Zahar told reporters yesterday that Hamas opposes all types of unilateral actions. "We are still carrying out resistance for the liberation of our land. We don't believe that the Israelis are planning to retreat from Gaza, while they talk about continuing to control the air space and sea ports. Until the occupation is totally ended, the resistance will continue." 'Resistance' is the Hamas word for "terrorism."
Ironically, A-Zahar made the comments as he was about to begin talks with the Palestinian Authority chief, Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala), regarding cooperation between their two bodies in taking control of Gaza. In addition, Egyptian military personnel are on their way to Gaza to offer security training.
Qurei, on the other hand, is happy that Gaza is being handed to him on a silver platter. "The Israeli retreat from the Gaza Strip is a one-time historic opportunity that we must not pass up," he said.
A-Zahar is outspokenly against the existence of the State of Israel. On May 22, 2003, he told BBC's Tim Sebastian, "I'm telling you frankly, the attitude of Islam is not to accept a foreign state in this area... This is the attitude of thousands and millions of [Moslems]."
A-Zahar told reporters yesterday that Hamas opposes all types of unilateral actions. "We are still carrying out resistance for the liberation of our land. We don't believe that the Israelis are planning to retreat from Gaza, while they talk about continuing to control the air space and sea ports. Until the occupation is totally ended, the resistance will continue." 'Resistance' is the Hamas word for "terrorism."
Ironically, A-Zahar made the comments as he was about to begin talks with the Palestinian Authority chief, Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala), regarding cooperation between their two bodies in taking control of Gaza. In addition, Egyptian military personnel are on their way to Gaza to offer security training.
Qurei, on the other hand, is happy that Gaza is being handed to him on a silver platter. "The Israeli retreat from the Gaza Strip is a one-time historic opportunity that we must not pass up," he said.