Rift in Hamas opening over Gaza war
posted at 12:03 pm on January 15, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Has the war on Hamas in Gaza started to produce results? The AP seems to think it has, at least in driving a wedge between Hamas factions. Hamas leadership in Damascus wants no part of any realistic plan for a cease-fire, while Hamas in Gaza seems ready to capitulate:
Signs of sharp division are appearing within the top ranks of Hamas as fighting with Israel in Gaza intensifies and cease-fire talks brokered by Egypt reach a critical point.
The differences have sharpened over the past two days and could have a significant impact on the outcome of the truce negotiations.
Gaza-based Hamas officials have sounded more willing in recent days to consider a deal for a temporary cease-fire, being pushed by Egypt, even though the proposal would leave Israeli troops on the ground in Gaza temporarily and keep the territory’s borders sealed in the short term. But Hamas political officials, close to the group’s leadership-in-exile in Syria, have characterized a cease-fire as still far away. …
But a top Hamas spokesman in Syria, Moussa Abu Marzouk, told The Associated Press on Thursday that Hamas would not abandon its demand that Israel withdraw its troops from Gaza and open border crossings before any cease-fire, even a temporary one, could take effect.
Another top Hamas figure linked to the leadership in Syria, Osama Hamdan, said late Wednesday that Hamas had not agreed to some points of the Egyptian plan.
Khaled Mashaal in Damascus has a different set of priorities. He has to worry about Iranian threats to cut off funding if Hamas quits fighting Israel in Gaza. Tehran wants Israel pinned down so that they will not follow through on their threats to target Iranian nuclear installations, for which they have apparent support from the outgoing Bush administration in the US. If Hamas can’t do that, then they’re worthless to Iran.
Hamas in Gaza has more pressing concerns — like breathing. The IDF has succeeded in dismantling their power structure in Gaza, and now they are pressing into the heart of Gaza City to eliminate them altogether. They need relief from the attack that they themselves provoked, and the Gaza leadership wants Egypt to provide them a face-saving (and life-saving) exit from the war.
Israel has to maintain the pressure on Hamas at this point. A cease-fire will only allow them to regroup with their Syrian leadership and Iranian proxies. They’ve already caused a great deal of destruction in Gaza, which they will eventually have to do again if Hamas isn’t stopped now. They seem to be winning this conflict, and Hamas in Gaza knows it.
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Put the leadership in Damascus under a couple weeks of fire, and then listen to them beg for peace…
right2bright on January 15, 2009 at 12:07 PM
A possible Hamas civil war? That would be great!
Maybe the Pali’s will finally get tired of Hamas and have an “awakening”. I won’t hold my breath.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 15, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Hamas in Gaza has more pressing concerns — like breathing.
Best line of the day, Ed.
Of COURSE Nasrallah wants the cannon-fodder to keep on foddering themselves, all the more corpses to deify and add to the school textbooks when this battle finally ends.
The terrorist leaders who are always extolling the virtues of martyrdom seem to have a change of heart when they are asked to face-down an Apache helicopter.
Bishop on January 15, 2009 at 12:08 PM
“He has to worry about Iranian threats to cut off funding if Hamas quits fighting Israel in Gaza. ”
That is the major issue, Iranian blackmail. Iran is saying that Hamas is only a friend as long as they actively engage Israel. It says that Iran doesn’t really care about Hamas’ political or religious doctrine and that they are using Hamas as a paid tool to further their own agenda.
Hamas needs to think a couple of more times if a relationship with Iran is really worth the money.
crosspatch on January 15, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Well, when you are living in Damascus, on a government subsidy, and living well…it is awfully easy to tell underlings down in Gaza, in the actual battle zone, to keep up the good fight. Pretty much standard for the Islamists…the leadership hides while the rank and files dies.
The question is, when will the rank and file come to understand they are being played by their leadership like a cheap $3 fiddle? When will the rank and file stand up and say enough? So long as there is money and job security for the leadership, the schmucks running around Gaza firing RPG’s at Merkava tanks are going to simply add to the body count…nothing else.
coldwarrior on January 15, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Gaza Cam
It’s about 7 pm there now. Explosions, children playing, gunfire.
Blake on January 15, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Wow, Hamas leadership in Damascus.
Why aren’t the leaders in GAZA where they belong? Our press isn’t making a big deal of the leadership not residing in their own area? I thought they wanted PALESTINE….not Syria?
GO ISRAEL! Keep the pressure on! It’s all those MURDERERS understand
originalpechanga on January 15, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Iran wins greatly if Hamas continues…first, he PR war against JEWS (not just Israel) gets more virulent and it deflects eyes on their Nuke program. They have nothing to lose unless Israel widens the bombing.
beththebaker on January 15, 2009 at 12:15 PM
The UN chief says the death toll has been “devastating” for Gaza. However, out of a country of 1.4 million, there are about 1,000 deaths, of which more than 80% are militants. Just another lie meant to discredit Israel.
Blake on January 15, 2009 at 12:16 PM
This just in – Israel has killed the Hamas interior minister/security chief – considered one of their top five leaders.
CP on January 15, 2009 at 12:17 PM
GO ISRAEL!
beththebaker on January 15, 2009 at 12:18 PM
CP on January 15, 2009 at 12:17 PM –
Killed hiding out in his brother’s house. The Israelis have some pretty good intelligence and the means to act on it.
One by one, if necessary…destroy Hamas..then take care of more pressing matters.
coldwarrior on January 15, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I take it one of the Israeli missiles hit him where Allah split him?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 15, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Exactly, Israel should not fold to international pressure and allow them the opportunity to regroup and rearm as they have in the past! This time Israel MUST break the back of the Hamas scum and take them out of the equation freeing Israel to hit Iran’s nuclear facilities!
Liberty or Death on January 15, 2009 at 12:21 PM
This just in – Israel has killed the Hamas interior minister/security chief – considered one of their top five leaders.
CP on January 15, 2009 at 12:17 PM
I’m crying on the inside.
Bishop on January 15, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Another interesting website: http://aid2gaza.blogspot.com/
One story I found interesting is the Israelis complaining that they suspend operations in order for Palestinians to repair necessary infrastructure and it doesn’t get done. Incompetence, or, is it planned? I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and call it incompetence. Apparently, sewage is a big problem in Gaza and was a problem before the current hostilities. This is what happens when you have bad government — you end up literally swimming in $h*t.
Blake on January 15, 2009 at 12:22 PM
I hope that right now he’s with his 72 virgins. And they all look like Janet Reno and Rosie O’ Donnell.
kingsjester on January 15, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Relentless…this is what causes “leaders” to cave in. Not the initial attack, but the relentless attack.
Every Hamas leader is now wondering “Am I next”, will my family be next, where can I hide, is anywhere safe.
If Israel made the bold statement that they will go after all Hamas leaders, no matter where they are…Damascus leaders would roll over.
These type of leaders (like most liberal leaders) will sacrifice others, but they will never sacrifice themselves willingly.
right2bright on January 15, 2009 at 12:25 PM
The only difference between a populist and a liberal, is a populist wants govt to control what goes on in the bedroom, as well as what goes on in the boardroom.
MarkTheGreat on January 15, 2009 at 12:28 PM
oops, wrong thread sorry
MarkTheGreat on January 15, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Typical arab. The further away from the front lines one is, the braver they get.
MarkTheGreat on January 15, 2009 at 12:30 PM
The good Dr.’s insticts are correct. The only awakening the Pali’s will have is when the rest of the Muslim world has its version of the Enlightenment. They literally have to rip out whole sections of the koran and change their weltanschauung. As likely as the proverbial leopard changing his spots.
That said, Israel should keep pressing and at some point should demand UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER
J.J. Sefton on January 15, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Could be, but I suspect the IAF can walk and chew gum at the same time. A double tap would be a nice surprise for the mullahs.
a capella on January 15, 2009 at 12:34 PM
And a lot of other places as well.
MarkTheGreat on January 15, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Apparently, sewage is a big problem in Gaza
Gaza itself is the sewage problem.
Now, if Israel were to whack Nasrallah while he’s in Syria, THAT would end the war tomorrow; Hamas would be running for the exits so fast they’d be leaving their shadows behind.
Bishop on January 15, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Hamas needs to get some popcorn and catch this flick:
http://www.defiancemovie.com/
izoneguy on January 15, 2009 at 12:43 PM
The courage of Islamic leadership increases accordingly to the distance from actual combat. The never ending willingness for the Muslim everyman to give his life is of no consequence to the greater existence of these cowards. Fictional virgins for those sacrificed in paradise, in exchange for all the aid money their leadership can pocket.
What a great cult system. It’s good to be the mullah.
Hening on January 15, 2009 at 12:44 PM
It’s all blah, blah, blah for now.
Everyone is on the track to wait until Obama is in office and see which side of the fence he is on.
Does Obama start talking with Hamas? (That is de facto talking to Iran.)
Everyone is waiting for the possible changing of the rules and players when Obama floats into the situation.
albill on January 15, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Absolutely! Humiliation is necessary – not just for the purposes of humiliating Hamas but for the humiliation of the international mobs that have been assaulting the streets rioting in support of Hamas.
batterup on January 15, 2009 at 12:50 PM
The only “rift in Hamas” I care about is the one caused by shrapnel.
SKYFOX on January 15, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Brave Khaled Mashaal shouts encouragement from the (very far away) rear. Maybe he can issue more moral raisers like: “All deserters will be shot” or “the only thing we have to fear is life”.
KW64 on January 15, 2009 at 12:54 PM
I think so to , they got resources. The air part in Gaza OP isn’t that big. And the Iran visit is only air.
But , the ruskies has placed an aircraft carrier on the cost of Syria to watch the airspace.
the_nile on January 15, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Or how about that “beautiful” diplomat, Madeleine Albright? He shouldn’t complain, Kim Jong-Il liked her legs.
Steve Z on January 15, 2009 at 12:58 PM
“Just say no” to conditional cease-fires. Hamas has to go.
NeighborhoodCatLady on January 15, 2009 at 1:00 PM
I love how every time I open a browser with Yahoo! being my homepage, Yahoo! either has an anti-Israel headline or an adoring Obama headline. We need a right-leaning browser company.
Anywho, I love how Hamas leadership in Gaza cares nothing for the women and children, but when their own lives are suddenly at stake, they want to pursue a cease-fire. Selfish b@stards.
jediwebdude on January 15, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Ah, I didn’t know that. It sort of reinforces the Hitchens advice to Obama in HA headlines, regarding his campaign brag and Russian trustworthiness, doesn’t it?
a capella on January 15, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Hamas in Gaza wants peace, because they’re getting shot. Hamas in Damascus wants war, because they’re nice and safe.
Sort of like Hitler wondering why the “cowardly” Nazi soldiers were retreating from Moscow. Maybe because they were frozen and starving and getting blasted to smithereens by the Russians…but toasty-warm, well-fed Hitler, in his Alpine paradise in Berchtesgaden, wanted them to fight on.
The Israelis should press on until every member of Hamas in Gaza is dead or captured, and every rocket launcher in Gaza has been destroyed. The Israelis know the script: you get them surrounded, they ask for a cease-fire, then they regroup and attack you when you withdraw. Like Fallujah in the spring of 2004. It’s time to finish them off NOW, once and for all, before Obama tries to hold the Israelis back.
Steve Z on January 15, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I’m not excited. The only “victory” being sought is to replace Hamas with Fattah. Wowee, there is progress now isn’t it.
Well some dead Hamas Muslims are better than no dead Hamas Muslims I suppose.
BL@KBIRD on January 15, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Finish off Hamas! Kill every last terrorist!
Xolom on January 15, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Fatah and PLO types are no better.
Xolom on January 15, 2009 at 1:26 PM
I’m wondering what kind of natural selection effects are in place in the Palestinian territories. The smart ones leave and find something useful to do elsewhere, the hopelessly-in-need-of-attention ones blow themselves up, the strongman type often have close encounters with warheads, etc.
Who is actually being selected, there?
Count to 10 on January 15, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Accentuate the positive I always say…..
44Magnum on January 15, 2009 at 2:17 PM
A little humor about a very serious war.
snaggletoothie on January 15, 2009 at 2:37 PM
They all look like Barney Frank, they haven’t showered since 2005 and they are all hot and the bothered.
NoDonkey on January 15, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Makes me think that not everyone is Gaza is solidly behind Hamas as some would have us believe. Obviously someone is tipping Israel off to the location of these “leaders”.
TooTall on January 15, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Maybe you can talk hamas into leaving.
Johan Klaus on January 15, 2009 at 3:02 PM
John Batchelor seems to think there is going to be an escalation and he mentions it here in this ceasefire blurb as well. Quite the debate going on about this there if you read the comments section. The Hamas implosion was predicted and glad to see it finally happening.
0321_GUY on January 15, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Great, they can kick Hezbollah’s ass too. The gloves are off.
And why should Israel fear Syria? The IAF took out their nuclear facility and Syria didn’t make a peep.
Lebanon and Syria as devastated as Gaza would be a good thing.
NoDonkey on January 15, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Hamas leadership in Damascus wants no part of any realistic plan for a cease-fire, while Hamas in Gaza seems ready to capitulate:
There’s a shock. The people not bleeding want to fight on to the death, but the ones doing the bleeding and dying are starting to wonder if there is another way…
I R A Darth Aggie on January 15, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Israel went further than I expected, hopefully they’ll finish off Hamas completely. They should remember that Islam is a hydra and it will eventually grow a new head, but at least they’ll get some R+R and a chance to re-arm for the next battle.
They’ll also have to take out Iran’s nuke program-this Hamas conflict is merely a distraction staged by the Iranian puppet-masters. Poor Israel, lone small fighter against many enemies (both Islamic and democratic) and sole defender right now of western civilization.
thinkagain on January 15, 2009 at 4:09 PM
I went back to reread some of his articles and the comments he has left. IS this guy full of sh*t or not? Some of the stuff he is spouting off is out there….
0321_GUY on January 15, 2009 at 7:54 PM
I like this news.
This is good news.
It makes me happy.
Summer on January 15, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Note to the Israel, and the IDF:
Keep kicking ass, and don’t quit until their butts are bleeding for a long, long time. And puleeeze Israel, don’t spend a dime to rebuild. Gazans voted this vile vermin into government, and are getting exactly what they asked for.
byteshredder on January 15, 2009 at 9:08 PM
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