Israeli Army Concerned Hamas Trying to Change 'Rules of the Game' in Gaza

Almanar

28/03/2010 Following the deaths of two Israeli occupation soldiers by Palestinian resistance fighters in clashes Friday, there is concern in the Israeli occupation army that Hamas is trying to alter the situation along Gaza Strip border fence, which will result in their targeting of Israeli patrols.

An Israeli occupation officer and another soldier were reportedly killed in Friday’s confrontations with the Palestinian resistance fighters as the Israeli army claimed obstructing an attempt to detain Israeli soldiers by the Palestinian Resistance.

Two Palestinians were also martyred in clashes near the border fence around the Gaza Strip, Palestinian media reported. According to the reports, the two were injured from Israeli artillery near Khan Younis. It was also reported that heavy clashes and a powerful explosion took place in the area, and that Israeli helicopters were circling the area.

The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, claimed responsibility for the operation. "An Israeli army force raided 500 meters (yards) into Palestinian territory, and was confronted by our fighters," said Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Hamas armed wing. "This was our work, but was carried out for defense."

Any change along the fence may present Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government with the first military challenge of its tenure. For the past year the situation has been calm, in great part as a result of the two wars conducted by the Olmert government: the Second Lebanon War and Operation Cast Lead.

Intelligence sources in Tel Aviv have recently raised the question whether Hamas was turning a blind eye to the rocket attacks, a possible change of tactics. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Channel 2 on Saturday that Hamas is trying to change the "rules of the game" in Gaza, and will have to pay the price for this.

Tensions have run high along the Gaza frontier this month, with Israel launching repeated air strikes against Palestinian civilians.

ISRAELI MINISTER VOWS TO ‘LIQUIDATE’ HAMAS GOVERNMENT

On Sunday, a senior Israeli minister warned that Israel would "liquidate" the Hamas-run government in Gaza. "Sooner or later we will liquidate the military regime of the pro-Iranian Hamas which controls the Gaza Strip," Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, from the governing rightwing Likud party, told public radio.

"I am not setting a timetable, but we will not tolerate this regime continuing to strengthen itself militarily and providing itself with an arsenal of rockets that threaten our territory," he added.

When asked whether Israel may launch a new invasion of the territory, Steinitz replied: "We have no choice."

BAN KI-MOON ‘CONCERNED’ ABOUT GAZA VIOLENCE
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday he was concerned about the clash in the Gaza Strip. "I am very concerned at the escalation of violence and loss of life yesterday in the vicinity of the Gaza border," Ban told a news conference on the sidelines of an Arab League summit in the Libyan town of Sirte.

"I reiterate my appeals made during my recent visit for maximum restraint and an end to all violence, in particular at this critical time when we are engaged in efforts to revive peace talks."



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