When the tactic is assassination
Response to Israeli killing of Hamas leader in Syria, like Middle East, is complex.
Analysts say Israel's car-bomb assassination of Palestinian Izz el-Deen al-Sheikh Khalil in Syria on Sunday as both a
none too subtle warning to Damascus not to support terrorists from its soil, and a direct blow aimed at Hamas leadership, reports
The Associated Press.Syria was put on notice that it
can and will be humiliated on the international stage by Israel, reports
Haaretz. In addition, the elimination of a third top Hamas official, this time outside Israeli soil, forces leaders of the terrorist organization who already are taking extraordinary security precautions, to go deeper underground, further compromising their effectiveness, reports
Haaretz.
The
Christian Science Monitor
reports that Ghazi Hamed, editor of the Hamas-affiliated al-Risala weekly, faults Washington for the bombing. "Israel would not do this without American permission," the
Monitor quotes him as saying. "The United States is threatening Syria that 'Israel will attack you if you don't do what we want.' " Mr. Khalil was the third Hamas leader to die at Israel's hands in recent months. Two others, both better known than Khalil, were Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the movement's founder, who was assassinated by a helicopter gunship in March as he left a mosque after prayers; and acting leader Abdul-Aziz Rantissi, who was killed a month later, says the
Monitor. Following the assassinations of Mr. Yassin and Mr. Rantissi, "the leadership outside [Palestinean territories] became much more important," the
Monitor quotes Reuven Paz, director of the PRISM research institute in Herzliya, near Tel AviV, as saying:
'There are 20 to 30 Hamas officials in Damascus that deal with foreign relations, finance, and directing military operations.' But Mr. Hamed says the Damascus headquarters is political and not military: 'Israel believes that if it cuts the legs and hands of Hamas outside, then it will impact on Hamas here. I don't think so.'
On Monday, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie, a self-proclaimed Fatah moderate who seeks Palestinian statehood alongside Israel, condemned the "
assassination of the martyr Khalil" and called it an Israeli attempt to "export the crisis," reports
Reuters.
'Our option is peace, a just peace ... to lift the blockades and stop the (West Bank settlement) policies imposed on our people,' he told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
In a
roundup of press commentary in the region, the
BBC, found that "many Israeli commentators believe the move justified," but that some questioned "if it was wise." Middle East and pan-Arab papers were not surprisingly angered, reports the
BBC, but likewise expressed nuanced calls for a response to "what one paper calls Israel's 'attempt to export its internal crises' to the Arab world,' and the call by one Palestinian commentator for Syria to "respond by turning the other cheek." Here is a sampling of the range of views expressed in the Middle East media.
• The liquidation is a sharp change of line... First, assassinations return as a central instrument against terrorism, not only in the [occupied] territories, but the whole world. Second, this is a sharp signal to the Syrian regime that, if it continues to shelter such activity, it will weaken. Third, in contrast with previous occasions... Israeli security sources assumed responsibility for the operation. In the long run, time will tell how wise it was to confess this. Commentary by Ronen Bergman in Israel's
Yediot Aharonot,. • Now we are left with the hope that the creativity in the implementation of the operation attributed to Israel, as well as the determination and readiness to assume responsibility, will quickly permeate to other systems in Israel. Because a state that wants to guarantee its security cannot rely on liquidations, even if they are daring and successful. Commentary by Gad Shomron in Israel's
Ma'ariv. • Israel's intention is to target the entire Arab region. The new aggression also coincides with American threats against Syria. Therefore, the Israeli aggression goes hand-in-hand with the American stance towards Syria. Saudi Arabia's
Al Jazirah. •The assassination is a great "insult" to the Syrian government and a major breach of its security apparatus ... Israel is provoking Syria and is attempting to export its internal crises... Europe will be the first loser if Hamas carries out its threat to transfer the battle abroad, since it will become a theatre for attacks as was the case in the 70s. Commentary by Abd-al-Bari Atwan in London-based
Al-Quds Al-Arabi • Damascus will, as usual, probably avoid retaliating directly in the Golan Heights to this blow to its heart. The most efficient response would be to continue its "peace attack", which embarrasses Israel, and continue Syria's role in sponsoring the Palestinian dialogue. Commentary by Hasan al-Batal in the Palestinian
Al-Ayyam. Will Hamas now target Israelis around the world? Despite
threats by its armed wing to target Israelis around the world, senior Hamas officials were "quick Sunday to reaffirm that there was no change in the movement's position," reports
The Jerusalem Post.
Ever since its establishment in 1988, Hamas has refrained from carrying out attacks against Israeli targets abroad. Hamas leaders repeatedly explained that their fight was restricted to "occupied Palestine" and there was no need to take it to other countries. The political and military leaders of Hamas are now openly divided on this issue.
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The kidnap weapon (
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Israel assassinates Hamas member in Damascus (
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NSF announces two cybersecurity centers to study internet epidemiology and "ecology" (
Innovations Report)
• Feedback appreciated. E-mail
Jim Bencivenga
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