Sunday, August 28, 2005

Israel urges PA to crack down on Hamas after video release

From Jerusalem post Aug. 27, 2005 4:51 Updated Aug. 27, 2005 18:18 By ASSOCIATED PRESS GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip ...

Hamas on Saturday released a rare videotape of a man it said is the bombmaker pursued by Israeli security forces for more than a decade. The man, identifying himself as Israel's most-wanted terrorist Muhammad Deif, described Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as a victory for armed resistance, rejected calls for his group to disarm, and vowed to continue attacks on Israel until the Jewish state is erased from the map. 'You are leaving Gaza today in shame,' he said. 'Today you are leaving hell. But we promise you that tomorrow all Palestine will be hell for you, God willing.'

Israeli officials on Saturday urged the Palestinian Authority to crack down on Hamas following the release of the videotape. Gideon Meir, a senior Foreign Ministry official, said the Gaza pullout was aimed in part at improving the atmosphere between Israel and the Palestinians. He said the comments by Deif threaten the chances of resuming peace talks, which Israel has said would depend on the Palestinian Authority's willingness to disarm militant groups...

JPost Staff contributed to this report

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