PA Minister Saeb Erekat told Al-Ayam that, “while the Palestinian side is seeking to increase the frequency of meetings to advance the peace process, the Israelis are invading Tulkarem and murdering innocent Palestinian citizens.”
Erekat was referring to the recent elimination of Luis Saadi, the most-wanted terrorist of Judea and Samaria, who was killed in battle with IDF forces on Sunday. " Erekat went on to warn that, "such actions break and destroy the cease-fire between Palestinians and Israelis, and return us to the cycle of violence."
Two terrorists were killed in Sunday's battle in Tulkarem, including Saadi, who was responsible for killing 12 Israelis and wounding 150 others. Specifically, he directed the murderous attacks at the Stage Club in Tel Aviv last February and outside the HaSharon Mall in Netanya three months ago. A terrorist cell under the command of Saadi was preparing to carry out another attack during the next few days, IDF Ephraim Region Commander Col. Aharon Haliwa said Monday.
In the interview, Erekat also stated that he had asked Israel to set a date for a summit meeting regarding Arab prisoners and another territorial withdrawal. He said that from Israel’s point of view there was nothing stopping them from attending more such meetings. Erekat said that the planned summit is to take place in November between PA Chairman Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Meanwhile, Hamas has threatened more terror attacks in response to Israel’s recent strikes against terrorists in Judea and Samaria. Hamas is not interested in an escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip but considers Judea and Samaria to be the next venue for “jihad.”
On Tuesday, the terror organization warned Israel against what it termed breaches of the period of calm (“tahidiya”) agreed upon by Palestinian groups in March 2003. Hamas considered the elimination of Saadi as another attempt by Israel to separate Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip and impose “other rules of the game.”
Hamas has threatened more attempts in the near future to carry out attacks against “settlers, wherever they are found.” It considers its “resistance,” or armed struggle, as a legitimate means to teach the IDF a lesson and lead to a withdrawal from Judea and Samaria that would be similar to the disengagement from the Gaza Strip. Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Matzri warned Israel that its attacks on targets in the Gaza Strip would invalidate the tahidiya and would invite a strong reaction from the Palestinians.
Hamas is currently trying to consolidate its political support in time for the January PA elections in order to gain power in the Palestinian Authority. However, it is also interested in maintaining a strategic balance against Israel by increasing its armaments in the Gaza Strip and renewing terror activities such as kidnappings and suicide bombings in Judea and Samaria.
Erekat was referring to the recent elimination of Luis Saadi, the most-wanted terrorist of Judea and Samaria, who was killed in battle with IDF forces on Sunday. " Erekat went on to warn that, "such actions break and destroy the cease-fire between Palestinians and Israelis, and return us to the cycle of violence."
Two terrorists were killed in Sunday's battle in Tulkarem, including Saadi, who was responsible for killing 12 Israelis and wounding 150 others. Specifically, he directed the murderous attacks at the Stage Club in Tel Aviv last February and outside the HaSharon Mall in Netanya three months ago. A terrorist cell under the command of Saadi was preparing to carry out another attack during the next few days, IDF Ephraim Region Commander Col. Aharon Haliwa said Monday.
In the interview, Erekat also stated that he had asked Israel to set a date for a summit meeting regarding Arab prisoners and another territorial withdrawal. He said that from Israel’s point of view there was nothing stopping them from attending more such meetings. Erekat said that the planned summit is to take place in November between PA Chairman Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Meanwhile, Hamas has threatened more terror attacks in response to Israel’s recent strikes against terrorists in Judea and Samaria. Hamas is not interested in an escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip but considers Judea and Samaria to be the next venue for “jihad.”
On Tuesday, the terror organization warned Israel against what it termed breaches of the period of calm (“tahidiya”) agreed upon by Palestinian groups in March 2003. Hamas considered the elimination of Saadi as another attempt by Israel to separate Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip and impose “other rules of the game.”
Hamas has threatened more attempts in the near future to carry out attacks against “settlers, wherever they are found.” It considers its “resistance,” or armed struggle, as a legitimate means to teach the IDF a lesson and lead to a withdrawal from Judea and Samaria that would be similar to the disengagement from the Gaza Strip. Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Matzri warned Israel that its attacks on targets in the Gaza Strip would invalidate the tahidiya and would invite a strong reaction from the Palestinians.
Hamas is currently trying to consolidate its political support in time for the January PA elections in order to gain power in the Palestinian Authority. However, it is also interested in maintaining a strategic balance against Israel by increasing its armaments in the Gaza Strip and renewing terror activities such as kidnappings and suicide bombings in Judea and Samaria.