The Times of Israel is liveblogging events as they unfold through Tuesday, August 19, the 43rd day of Operation Protective Edge. After a five-day truce expired on Monday at midnight, it appeared the sides had agreed a 24-hour extension through Tuesday, amid conflicting reports on the progress of talks in Cairo on a long-term Israel-Hamas deal.
Shin Bet reveals Hamas plot to topple PA, stage massive terror attacks
Earlier Monday, the Shin Bet issued details of what it said was a major terrorist plot by Hamas to topple the PA, spark a third intifada, and carry out a series of terror attacks on Israeli targets.
Here are the key points of our earlier story:
The Shin Bet said it arrested more than 90 Hamas operatives in May and June, confiscated dozens of weapons that had been smuggled into the West Bank, and seized more than $170,000 aimed at funding attacks. It produced photos of the confiscated weapons and cash and a flowchart of the Hamas operatives who had been questioned, and said they planned a series of massive attacks on Israeli targets, including the Temple Mount, in order to start a widespread conflagration. Indictments are expected to be filed against at least 70 of the suspects.
Terror cells were set up in dozens of Palestinian West Bank towns and villages — including in and around Jenin, Nablus, eastern Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Hebron — the Shin Bet said.
Many of those recruited for the cells were students studying chemistry and engineering, and academics, according to the investigation.
The Shin Ben said the plot was orchestrated by senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri, who is based in Turkey and enjoys the support of the local officials there.
Israel’s Shin Bet security service said Monday it thwarted a Hamas coup attempt in the West Bank aimed at toppling Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and starting a third intifada uprising.
The Shin Bet said it arrested more than 90 Hamas operatives in May and June, confiscated dozens of weapons that had been smuggled into the West Bank, and seized more than $170,000 aimed at funding attacks. It produced photos of the confiscated weapons and cash and a flowchart of the Hamas operatives who had been questioned, and said they planned a series of massive attacks on Israeli targets, including the Temple Mount, in order to start a widespread conflagration. Indictments are expected to be filed against at least 70 of the suspects.
Abbas said later Monday that the revelation was “a grave threat to the unity of the Palestinian people and its future,” NRG reported.
The Shin Bet said terror cells were set up in dozens of Palestinian West Bank towns and villages — including in and around Jenin, Nablus, eastern Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Hebron.
Many of those recruited for the cells were students studying chemistry and engineering, and academics, according to the investigation.
Detailing what it said was the thwarted bid to topple the PA in the West Bank, the Shin Bet said Monday that Hamas military cells in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, run through headquarters in Turkey, sought to execute a string of attacks against Israel, overthrow the PA, and establish a second front against Israel during Operation Protective Edge.
The Shin Bet revealed that during a three-month operation, it arrested 93 activists and confiscated 24 rifles, six pistols, seven rocket launchers, a large amount of ammunition, a getaway car, and funds amounting to over NIS 600,000 (some $170,000). It said that the infrastructure for the unusually “severe” string of attacks was based, also, on a “forward front in Jordan.”
Using a network of couriers to Jordan and Turkey, the Shin Bet said, the Hamas activists transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars of funds into the West Bank, with the intention of purchasing arms, and preparing safe houses, warehouses for weapons and laboratories for manufacturing rockets.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor, suggested on Monday that the UN condemn Hamas - not Israel - over the goings on in Gaza.
“This morning during a press stakeout I held at the UN, I talked about the word 'disproportionate'. I can tell you that the only ‘disproportionate’ thing is the accusations being made against Israel by the UN and others,” wrote Prosor on his Facebook page.
When it comes to the UN’s bias against Israel – this is just the tip of the iceberg. The organization chose an outspoken critic of Israel – William Schabas – to lead its Gaza inquiry. This makes about as much sense as choosing Count Dracula to run a blood bank,” he added.
“I also noted that Hamas has been able to get away with its crimes thanks to the support and sponsorship it receives from Qatar,”.
Qatar has proven that it controls the 3 ‘Bs’ – it can buy, bribe or bully its way to owning anything - including the 2022 World Cup,” said Prosor.
“f the UN wants to take constructive steps it must aim its condemnations where they belong – with Hamas and its sponsors,” he concluded.
Schabas was named last week as the head of the UN Human Rights Council’s panel tasked with investigating Israel’s alleged “war crimes” in Gaza.
A video from a 2013 panel recently surfaced, in which Schabas clearly revealed his eagerness to prosecute Israel over its actions in Gaza, even if that involved “twisting things and maneuvering” in the international legal arena.
In an interview with Channel 2 News following his appointment, the Canadian law professor did not deny that the international community has a double standard regarding Israel's conduct of war.
In that same interview, Schabas refused to define Hamas as a terrorist organization, saying he would need to consult with the two other members of the UNHRC committee before stating an opinion to avoid any "predispositions" in judgement.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman has called on Israel not to cooperate with the UN’s probe. Finance Minister Yair Lapid called the UNHRC committee "a ridiculous committee of ridiculous commissionership, that instead of investigating the murder of millions of Muslims by other Muslims, investigates the most moral army on the planet; this is a disgrace for the UN."
“This morning during a press stakeout I held at the UN, I talked about the word 'disproportionate'. I can tell you that the only ‘disproportionate’ thing is the accusations being made against Israel by the UN and others,” wrote Prosor on his Facebook page.
When it comes to the UN’s bias against Israel – this is just the tip of the iceberg. The organization chose an outspoken critic of Israel – William Schabas – to lead its Gaza inquiry. This makes about as much sense as choosing Count Dracula to run a blood bank,” he added.
“I also noted that Hamas has been able to get away with its crimes thanks to the support and sponsorship it receives from Qatar,”.
Qatar has proven that it controls the 3 ‘Bs’ – it can buy, bribe or bully its way to owning anything - including the 2022 World Cup,” said Prosor.
“f the UN wants to take constructive steps it must aim its condemnations where they belong – with Hamas and its sponsors,” he concluded.
Schabas was named last week as the head of the UN Human Rights Council’s panel tasked with investigating Israel’s alleged “war crimes” in Gaza.
A video from a 2013 panel recently surfaced, in which Schabas clearly revealed his eagerness to prosecute Israel over its actions in Gaza, even if that involved “twisting things and maneuvering” in the international legal arena.
In an interview with Channel 2 News following his appointment, the Canadian law professor did not deny that the international community has a double standard regarding Israel's conduct of war.
In that same interview, Schabas refused to define Hamas as a terrorist organization, saying he would need to consult with the two other members of the UNHRC committee before stating an opinion to avoid any "predispositions" in judgement.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman has called on Israel not to cooperate with the UN’s probe. Finance Minister Yair Lapid called the UNHRC committee "a ridiculous committee of ridiculous commissionership, that instead of investigating the murder of millions of Muslims by other Muslims, investigates the most moral army on the planet; this is a disgrace for the UN."
No comments:
Post a Comment