Hamas and Islamic Jihad

Following the outbreak of the current crisis, the two Islamic extremist groups in the territories, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, vowed to renew violent attacks against Israel. Following the supposed cease-fire negotiated between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in October 2000, Hamas spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin warned that his militants would use "stones, guns and explosions" to drive Israelis out of the Middle East. "We do not accept this or any agreement made by Israel and its supporter America. Our enemy only understands force -- so they will get it soon," Yassin declared in an interview with USA Today.

On October 26, Islamic extremists attempted a suicide bombing at an Israeli army checkpoint in Gaza; only the suicide bomber was killed. On October 31, Hamas issued a leaflet urging its people to "Surprise the enemy with your operations and brave resistance with arms, knives, Molotov cocktails and all available resistance tools and forms." On November 2, Islamic extremists set off a car-bomb near Machane Yehuda, a crowded marketplace in Jerusalem, killing two young Israelis.

In early November, Hamas political bureau head Khaled Meshal said in a speech at Sanaa University in Yemen that the Arab world should prepare for war with the "Zionist entity" by "... equipping itself with ballistic, chemical and nuclear missiles."

Hezbollah

In the wake of the current Palestinian uprising, Hezbollah has pledged its support to the Palestinian effort. In a recent interview with Time, Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah said: "There is no doubt that our most important role is in the region. We have experience, and we are ready to help. All means must be used to help the Palestinians.

In early October, Hezbollah kidnapped three Israeli soldiers on a routine patrol mission on the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon. Another Israeli man was kidnapped while abroad in Europe in circumstances still unknown.

Return to Top