WarSclerotic

Hamas, Iran Bury the Hatchet to Fight Israel – Defense/Security – News – Israel National News.

Hamas terrorists (illustration)

Flash 90

Despite falling out over the Syrian civil war, Iran and Hamas are still apparently cooperating in order to facilitate attacks against Israel, and to challenge the authority of the Fatah party of Mahmoud Abbas in Judea and Samaria.

A report by Stratfor has outlined how the Iranian regime is making use of Syrian proxies in the region to transfer weapons to Hamas cells in Judea and Samaria. This despite the fact that Hamas has aligned itself with the Sunni opposition to the Iranian-backed regime of Syrian President Bashar el-Assad.

In recent days, Jordanian authorities have intercepted two separate groups of arms smugglers attempting to transfer weapons and drugs from Syria, including anti-tank weapons and surface-to-air missiles. Jordan has become a major supply route for weapons headed to rebels inside Syria – the movement of those particular weapons caught the attention of Jordanian authorities, as the smugglers were heading in the opposite direction, making their way southwards.

Security in Jordan is tight as the jittery kingdom seeks to maintain its delicate balancing act between the Syrian regime on the one hand, and the surrounding Arab states which oppose it on the other – all the while conscious of the threats to its own authority by locally-based Islamist and other opposition groups.

But according to the report, the smugglers were not interested in either the Syrian civil war or the Jordanian government. Intelligence sources claim the men arrested were Palestinian Authority Arabs from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) – a leftist terrorist group closely affiliated  with the Syrian regime, and which has been involved in fighting on the regime’s behalf in Syria.

According to unnamed sources, the weapons were heading towards the Hebron Hills region of Judea, in Israel, where support for Hamas is particularly strong despite the crackdown on Hamas’ network in Judea and Samaria by the dominant Fatah party. These various factions are apparently cooperating in an attempt to help Hamas stockpile weapons in the region to enable them to attack neighboring Israeli military and civilian targets, and challenge the rule of the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority.

The cooperation between Sunni Islamist Hamas, Shia Islamist Iran and the secular Arab nationalist PFLP-GC – at a time of bloody sectarian conflict – underlines how such groups are still willing to cooperate when it comes to attacking Israel, despite their insurmountable ideological differences and regardless of public disputes.

Hamas in particular has been willing to compromise on its ideological solidarity with Iran’s Sunni enemies in Syria and the Gulf (Hamas’ leadership recently aligned itself with chief Muslim Brotherhood patron and nemesis of the Iranian regime, Qatar.) Hamas has received generous Iranian support in the past, although that support was lessened considerably after the two sides fell out over the Syrian civil war. But now more than ever, with the fall of its allies the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Hamas is acutely aware of its growing isolation, and has turned to Iran for help.

For their part, the Iranian regime and its Syrian allies are desperately attempting to gain a foothold in the region, which has turned increasingly hostile over the sectarian-fueled conflict in Syria.

In the midst of this sometimes confusing tangle of competing ideologies and alliances of convenience, one thing remains clear: hatred of Israel is still one thing practically all sides can agree upon.

Israel Hayom | Eilat in the crosshairs.

Yoav Limor

Cairo under curfew as nearly 150 killed in Egypt clashes | The Times of Israel.

Muslim Brotherhood says death toll over 2,200 in fighting between between Morsi supporters and security forces; Jerusalem-based cameraman among casualties; month-long state of emergency declared

By Times of Israel staff and AP August 14, 2013, 2:14 pm Updated: August 14, 2013, 5:43 pm

Eilat in sights: Jihadists in Sinai – Israel News, Ynetnews.

Several thousand extremists spread into Egyptian peninsula following overthrow of Mohamed Morsi. Growing reports of attempts to launch rockets at Eilat, increasing presence of Jabhat al-Nusra members, who are also fighting Syrian regime. Bedouin mercenaries, Gaza Palestinians, jihad terrorists from Yemen – more on escalating threat from Sinai

Roi Kais

The rocket fired at around 1 am on Tuesday morning at Eilat from Sinai and intercepted by Iron Dome reflects the recent expansion of extremist networks into the Egyptian peninsula. According to reports in Egypt, the area has been flooded by several thousand terrorists which break down into three groups: Sinai Bedouins who were weapon merchants and have begun operating as mercenaries; Palestinians from the Gaza Strip; and jihadists who have arrived from foreign countries – including Yemen and Afghanistan.

Since the ouster of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, stories are increasingly publicized describing the presence of global jihad organizations in Sinai. This includes organizations fighting the Syrian regime such as Jabhat al-Nusra. In addition to repeated attacks against Egyptian military and police, attacks against Christian Copts have been documented across Sinai.

Attacks on Copts

It began with a Coptic priest Mina Aboud Sharween, who was murdered in El-Arish by jihadists only days after the overthrow of the Morsi. A few days later, another murder took place that was particularly shocking. A Christian named Majdi Najib was killed, apparently by the same extremists in a cemetery in the city of A-Sheikh Zweid in northern Sinai. The body of the shop owner well known in the Coptic community was found abandoned on the highway, his head severed and lying on his chest.

In July, the UK Times described the incident and cited security officials in Egypt who believed that the murder of the Coptic priest marked the appearance of a local branch of Jabhat al-Nusra in Sinai.

“Leaving the severed head on the top of the body is the stamp of Jabhat al-Nusra,” said an Egyptian security official, who went on to say that “they are still on a smaller scale in Egypt and not well funded. But we believe that they are declaring their presence with this attack.”

However, another Egyptian security source quoted in the article noted, “The operative connection between Jabhat al-Nusra in Sinai and Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria is minimal. The group in Egypt just chose a name with resonance.”

The beheadings of Christians is an act that has been observed in Syria committed by the hand of radical militants from Jabhat al-Nusra. The group’s members in Syria are thought to have originally gone over from Iraq.

Over the past two months, media associated with the Assad regime reported incidents of beheadings, including one in which a young archbishop and a Christian were killed by the organization in Idlib. Another allegation arose claiming that that the organization’s members had desecrated and beheaded a statue of the Virgin Mary in the town of Jisr al-Shugur in Syria.

 Al-Qaeda connection

At present, the connection of the organizations operating in Sinai to the central wing of al-Qaeda, headed by Ayman al-Zawahiri, can mostly be summarized as one of ideology, but it also possesses a certain financial connection. The main goal of the global jihadist groups is to establish theocracies, in Sinai and in other locations, by exploiting the lack of governance in some Arab countries.

Israel is not currently a priority for the jihadist organizations, which prefer to channel their energies into finding a way to strengthen their grip on areas where they already have a presence. These organizations want to establish Islamist states in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. However, there is concern that groups will establish rocket threat against Israel and seek to carry out terrorist attacks.

In Sinai, Gaza

Since the September 11 attacks, al-Qaeda has been in distress. Global intelligence has become more responsive to the global jihad network and created a counter front, focused on al-Qaeda. This led to a new reality for the global jihad effort, and they have attempted to adapt accordingly. It also created a situation in which a multitude of groups operate, including Jabhat al-Nusra and Ansar al-Sham in Syria; the organization Ansar Beit al-Maqdis in Sinai, which had four men killed in the attack last Friday in Rafah. The international media attributed the attack to Israel.

Egyptian army supply convoy (Photo: AP)

The extremist organization Ansar Beit al-Maqdis has been active in the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula together with another radical organization known as the Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem, which took responsibility for Tuesday night’s rocket fire at Eilat.

In September of 2012, the Ansar Beit al-Maqdis organization claimed responsibility for an attack on the southern border, which killed Israeli soldier Corporal Netanel Yahalomi, saying the attack was in response to the movie, Innocence of Muslims, which mocked the Prophet Muhammad and worked up a frenzy in Arab and Muslim society.

Decapitation seen in Syria as well (Photo: Reuters)

The Mujahideen Shura Council, which took responsibility for rocket attacks on Eilat, announced its establishment with the first rocket attack, in June 2012. A cell of three terrorists penetrated into Israel along the border with Egypt. They then opened fire with small arms and RPG missiles which were launched at the car of workers who were building the border fence. Sayeed Fashafshe was killed in the attack.

Following the ousting of Morsi, the Sinai jihad organizations got a second wind from the number one man in al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, in a videotape which was released in which he stated, “The campaign in Egypt is not over, but only beginning. Revolution in Egypt should continue and the Islamic nation should give victims for the cause.” He added at the time that “the battle in Egypt is clear, between the secular Egyptian allies of the church and the army they support, and the Islamists.”

In parallel to these statements, Facebook pages were established allegedly representing the branch of Jabhat al-Nusra in Egypt. In July, a message was posted on one of the pages claiming to be the first message on behalf of the organization. It stated that they would sacrifice themselves for the security of the citizens, property, and honor. It added that this new organization did not recognize any party, because it did not accept regimes based on western concepts. It also said that it did not recognize the legitimacy of anyone except those who established the rule of Islam.

The projectile, which hit a military prosecution building, was fired by Salafist affiliates, according to locals.

Ma’an cited witnesses as saying they heard a large explosion before flames and smoke began rising from the building.

Peace talks to resume against backdrop of prisoner release | JPost | Israel News.

Live from Egypt: Troops move against pro-Mursi protest camp – Alarabiya.net English | Front Page.

At least 15 people were reportedly killed on Wednesday as Egyptian police  moved in on protesters camping out in support of deposed President Mohammed Mursi, eyewitnesses said.

Two members of Egypt security forces killed by gunfire while breaking up the protests, the state news agency reported.

The state news agency said security forces had started implementing a phased plan to disperse the protesters, which is almost certain to deepen political turmoil in Egypt.

Al Arabiya’s correspondent in Cairo said clashes between security forces and protesters in pro-Mursi camp Rabaa al-Adawiya had erupted.

Security forces fired tear gas into the sit-in in, and live images of Rabaa al-Adawiya showed smoke billowing from the square and military helicopters flying overhead.

**This is a developing story. Keep up with our live updates on Twitter: @AlArabiya_Eng**

Canisters of tear gas rained down on tents set up by the protesters at one end of the Rabaa al-Adawiya camp as police vehicles, one blaring a siren, advanced on the protesters.

“It is the beginning of the operation to disperse the protesters,” a security official told AFP, confirming that similar steps were being taken at the Nahda square camp.

Eyewitness Ahshur Abid told Reuters news agency that 15 people were killed as the clearing operation started. He said he saw their bodies at afield hospital at one of the camps.

The Al Arabiya correspondent reported that security forces were opening up Nasr Street, a road which leads out of Rabaa al-Adawiya, for those wanting to leave camp.

The correspondent added that some protesters had begun burning tires to block the security forces efforts.

Muslim Brotherhood supporters began to march from Cairo’s Salam Mosque in a rally heading to Rabaa al-Adawiya, as Islamists urges Egyptians to take to streets against what they described as a “massacre,” AFP news agency reported.

Meanwhile, an Associated Press television video journalist at the scene of the larger of the two camps said he could hear the screams of women as a cloud of white smoke hung over the site in the eastern Cairo suburb of Nasr City.

He said an army bulldozer was removing mounds of sand bags and brick walls built by the protesters as a defense line in the Nasr City camp. Army troops, however, were not taking part in the operation.

Overnight clashes

On Tuesday night, at least one person was killed and 11 others were wounded by gunfire in clashes between supporters and opponents in Cairo, Al Arabiya TV reported.

Police detain a Mursi supporter during clashes in central Cairo August 13, 2013. (Reuters)

The clashes took place in al-Haram street where Mursi supporters were marching in an evening rally.

Another pro-Mursi rally was held in the evening at the upscale Maadi district and it was led mainly by women and children, Al Arabiya correspondent at the scene reported.

Supporters and opponents of Mursi had clashed earlier in a central Cairo neighborhood hurling rocks at each other as police fired tear gas.

This is a developing story. Keep up with our live updates on Twitter: @AlArabiya_Eng

Israeli minister says no ‘concrete warning’ of more rocket fire from Sinai – WORLD – Globaltimes.cn.

( Waiting for the Arab and European countries to condemn Israel for shooting down a rocket fired at them from Egypt. It’s definitely an act of aggression on Israel’s part and they want the UN to investigate it. And, of course, the Un will find them guilty and demand an apology.  – JW )

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said Tuesday he has no information suggesting that Sinai-based militants are planning more rocket attacks against the southern Israeli city of Eilat in the immediate future.

“There is no concrete warning at the moment, but the premise is that there is terrorism in Sinai which could certainly attempt to target (Israel) again,” Ya’alon told reporters during a tour at the borders with Lebanon.

The remarks came hours after Islamist militants claimed responsibility for launching a Grad rocket from Sinai toward Eilat overnight Tuesday, causing no casualties or damage.

An Iron Dome anti-missile battery shot down the projectile, marking the first time the system, operated by the Israel Air Force, has intercepted a rocket over the Red Sea resort.

Most of the Iron Dome anti-missile batteries are deployed at the Israel’s border with Gaza and others stationed at the border with Lebanon.

Israel stationed the system near Eilat last month amid increasing security concerns. The Red Sea resort was targeted by rocket fire in both April and July.

“Regardless of whether there is or there is no alert, we operate under the assumption that the terror activity in Sinai may also reflect on Eilat and other communities bordering Sinai, which is why IDF (Israel defence forces) deployed in the region have been reinforced with good units and an Iron Dome battery,” the minister said in a statement.

He said Eilat residents and the hordes of tourists currently in the city need not alter their routine in the aftermath of the latest rocket fire.

Ya’alon reiterated that Israel “fully respects Egypt’s sovereignty,” in a comment he made Saturday in response to media reports of an alleged Israeli drone strike in northern Sinai a day before, which killed four Islamist militants who were reportedly about to fire missiles at Israeli targets.

“We, of course, fully respect Egyptian sovereignty, and are following the activity of Egypt’s security forces in Sinai, who are working to exterminate the terror nests there,” he said.

Sinai has witnessed more militant activities since longtime Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was ousted in 2011.

Netanyahu: Threat from Iran ‘dwarfs’ other challenges | The Times of Israel.

Prime minister, hosting US army chief Dempsey, says Washington and Jerusalem are working together to prevent a nuclear Iran

By Times of Israel staff August 14, 2013, 12:38 am

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosts US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey at the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem. Aug 13, 2013. (Photo credit: Kobi Gideon / GPO/FLASH90)

IAF launches early morning attack in response to Gaza rockets | JPost | Israel News.