ISIS’ Sinai Attacks Show Real Threat to Hamas
ISIS’ Sinai Attacks Show Real Threat to Hamas, The Clarion Project, Ryan Mauro, July 3, 2015
Hamas fighters (Photo: Video screenshot)
Should a full-blown war between Hamas and ISIS break out that makes Gaza look like Syria, the West mustn’t embrace Hamas as the better alternative. The minute differences between them should not be exaggerated out of a desire for a side to pick. They are the two manifestations of the same enemy.
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The attacks on Egypt in the Sinai Peninsula by the Islamic State (ISIS) this week shows why its new vow to topple Hamas in the Gaza Strip should be taken seriously. Polls show that Palestinians have the highest level of sympathy for ISIS in the Arab world with the possible exception of Syria.
ISIS has killed at least 17 Egyptian security personnel (13 soldiers and 4 police officers) and injured 30 in coordinated attacks that reflect increasing sophistication. The Egyptian military said 70 Islamist terrorists participated and five checkpoints were assaulted. ISIS claims it struck 15 sites all at once.
The Egyptian government immediately accused the Muslim Brotherhood of involvement as it has in the past. Egypt also claims Hamas, the Brotherhood’s Palestinian wing, is secretly supporting ISIS operations in the Sinai Peninsula. It has even threatened to attack Hamas in Gaza in response.
The Egyptian claims are questionable because of the open animosity between the two groups and ISIS’ new video pledging to conquer the Gaza Strip, but the Israeli military confirmed the links after Wednesday’s attacks. It identified two senior Hamas officials who advise ISIS and covertly arrange for hospital visits in Gaza for its injured operatives.
The Brotherhood denies involvement and its website has a statement urging Egyptians to reject violence, but the group’s double-talk is well-documented. It is simply false that the Brotherhood is completely non-violent and Brotherhood media outlets explicitly call for violence like that perpetrated by ISIS this week.
However, there does appear to be a division within the Brotherhood. Youth leaders and elements outside the country are advocating violent jihad, while the older generation repeatedly reaffirms the group’s non-violent stance in Egypt. It’s possible this is all a calculated deception. It’s also possible the rift is real and a faction would be willing to support ISIS against a common enemy.
One Brotherhood official, Mohamed Gaber, said it “seeks to use all expertise inside and outside the Brotherhood to achieve its goals at this stage,” referring to toppling the Egyptian government.
The Egyptian government’s crackdown on the Brotherhood makes it tempting for Hamas to support ISIS operations in the Sinai. Hamas may prefer a situation where its southern border is a battlefield between ISIS and Egyptian forces instead of a base for either. Plus, the Brotherhood uses every death as proof that Egypt’s crackdown is counter-productive and should end.
There are three possibilities: Claims of Hamas/Brotherhood links to ISIS in Sinai are simply wrong; the two groups simultaneously collaborate and fight with each other depending on circumstances; or there are elements within Hamas/Brotherhood that work independently with ISIS against the wishes of the leadership.
Whatever the truth is, the attacks in the Sinai show the threat to Hamas should be taken seriously.
A November 2014 poll found that the Palestinians are the most sympathetic population to ISIS in the Arab world. Only 4% view ISIS positively but if you include those who view it somewhat positively, it grows to nearly one-quarter of the population. However, another poll found that only 3% of Palestinians view ISIS’ gains positively and 88% view it negatively.
ISIS could capitalize on widespread dissatisfaction with Hamas and the situation in Gaza. ISIS’ message that Gaza is in bad shape because Hamas is not sufficiently implementing Sharia could resonate with Islamists who are struggling to understand why Hamas’ rule has not been blessed by Allah. The video also slams Hamas for being too soft on Israel.
A poll released last month shows that 50% of the population in Gaza—and an astounding 80% of the youth—want to leave. About 63% favor continuing rocket attacks on Israel. Another poll found that almost 25% would not vote if elections were held today.
Should a full-blown war between Hamas and ISIS break out that makes Gaza look like Syria, the West mustn’t embrace Hamas as the better alternative. The minute differences between them should not be exaggerated out of a desire for a side to pick. They are the two manifestations of the same enemy.
Explore posts in the same categories: Egypt, Gaza, Hamas, Iranian proxies, Islamic State, Islamic supremacy, Israel, Muslim Brotherhood, Palestinians, Sharia lawTags: Egypt, Gaza, Hamas, Iranian proxies, Islamic State, Islamic supremacy, Israel, Muslim Brotherhood, Palestinians, Sharia law
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WarSclerotic 
July 3, 2015 at 9:05 PM
If 2 dogs fight for a bone, let them, keep a eye on them and deal with the winner later.
Interfering means fighting against 2 dogs .
And according the UN is Israel guilty for war crimes, do Israel wants more of this wile defending hamas ?
http://www.timesofisrael.com/unhrc-endorses-gaza-report-with-european-support/
This is a perfect job for the UN , defending hamas against isis !
July 3, 2015 at 11:30 PM
joop,
I agree with you on some of your statement and article… but not fully.
Please allow me to explain myself.
I think that the only way that peace can be settled in the Middle East is if everyone sits down to negotiate.
Both sides need to understand that going to war (with or without war crimes), doesn’t solve a shit.
Isis and Hamas are both terrorist organizations. No doubt about it.
As far as I’m concerned, they can both go to hell.
Actually, let me be more explicit about it.
Their flippin’ religious book, named Coran, is something I use to do something with it which is not nice.
I know you understand what I’m trying to say.
Having said this, I personally think that the Israeli government, having the position of power and strength in a possible negotiation, should sit down to negotiate diplomatically a possible solution to the bloody ME problem.
I know, I know, you’re gonna reply that the Palestinians should, first of all, acknowledge the right for the state of Israel to exist.
And I’m with you on that one man.
It’s a no brainer, well into the 21st century, to negate that Israel shouldn’t exist.
This point of view is a retarded moronic one.
You have to be delusional to support it.
But, IMHO, I think that if Bibi’s government makes the effort to sit down and negotiate, all will be better.
That’s what I would do. Why?
Because once you sign the deal, if the other side (Palestinians, Hamas, Hezbullah, Isis, etc… you name it), breaks the agreement, the you have an excuse, a perfect excuse, to do what needs to be done.
Finally, yes, Isis and Hamas can fight for the same bone.
They are the same shit.
Kindest regards.
July 3, 2015 at 11:48 PM
Thanks for your comment .
How can you have a dualistic open negotiation with people who think they are doing alahs work, the eternal for ever not changeable truth ?
It is not possible at the moment , they need an other century of 2 to enlighten themselves.
In the mean time we have to take care that they will not overrun us by using our more enlightened laws and culture .
That means that we have to apply in some cases old primitive tools which they understand very well, and if they are a bit slow in understanding repeat till they are quit and nice, in this matter we give them time to join the 21 century and keep us save from primitive 7th century barbarism .
It is a beast of burden but we have no other choice .
Israel in not in the center of this problem , it is a problem for the whole world, it is a problem with the islaam.
If the “palestinians” where not religious delusional the could have their own state 60 years ago , but ALL the moslime brothers where not so enthusiastic by the existence of a Jewish democratic free state called Israel .( Israel gave them time after time concessions )
But there are movements on that side, there is a slight changing in attitude but it will take time , a lot of time.
Look up “Hudna ”
Saludos Cordiales .
July 4, 2015 at 12:15 AM
joop,
thanks for your reply.
I know you’re basically right in what you say, just adding some good points and info on what I mentioned in my previous post.
I will google “Hudna”, because to be honest with you, I need more info about it before posting an opinion.
Ok, but you need to concede that Israel, the super power in that region, is the one that needs to find a solution to the problem.
Precisely because it is the ONLY country there that can shine a light in the darkness.
They (YOU) have to do it. The other side is flippin’ useless.
Too radical and fanatic in their false religion. (All are IMO, but at least the Israeli side is much more clever and tolerable).
As Golda Meier use to say, a phrase which I love, “Peace will come when the arabs love their children more than they hate us”.
But since it takes forever for them to understand, and Israel knows it well, why not take the step to conduct the whole peace process?
The other side, the suckers, will never, ever, manage to do so.
Cheers.
July 4, 2015 at 12:45 AM
You need 2 to tango !
Ps: i,am reading more than 20 years about the islaam, koraan, ahadit and so on, there is not much spiritual to find, just lust, murder, war and perversity and eternal stupidity.
July 4, 2015 at 4:45 AM
Good grief, I’m agreeing with Joop. As Joop says these Islamic wing nuts believe they are following Allahs commands. The words and deeds of men mean nothing to them. Compromise,a tenet of Western Civilization is seen as a weekness by them to be exploited.
Radical Islam is evil personified, a resurrection of the same evil than spawned the Nazis. As with the Nazis this evil will not compromise or go willingly off the stage, it must be crushed out of excistance.
This evil was defeated last time, before it attained atomics. Had Hitler had the bomb he would have used it at every turn, so will radical Islam. These crazies strap TNT to themselves to kill a few infidels, they’ll be lining up around Mecca to strape a nuke to themselves to kill thousands.
Neville Netanyahu by allowing this nonsense to go on this long has put Israel in mortal peril.
July 4, 2015 at 12:59 PM
Happy 4th of July JP .
July 4, 2015 at 1:09 PM
And the USA and the EU are not putting their citizens in peril ?
IT is NOT an exclusive problem for Israel but for the whole world .
July 4, 2015 at 3:01 PM
Joop, it’s for sure a global problem, but Israel is the canary in the cage, and will be the clarion wake up call for the rest of the world.
July 4, 2015 at 11:35 AM
John Prophet,
thanks for your comments too.
I agree with both of you about radical Islam.
It is, without a doubt, the biggest problem we people from the western world have to face.
They’re a bunch of lunatic terrorists.
The founder of their invented religion, Mohammed, was exactly that: a raper, terrorist and sick in his brain. You just have to read his biography.
This people are waiting the arrival of their mahdi, and they think that that will usher the beginning of the end of the world.
Not a single normal person would defend such nonsense.
It is scary to think what they would be able to do…
Having said that, I think there’s still time.
Not much, but there’s still a window of opportunity to solve this problem.
I recently read an interview with an Israeli man, (don’t remember his name), in early 60’s, with glasses.
Apparently he’s a super genius, who prepares statistical models for the government and the army.
Maybe one of you can remind me of his name.
Anyway, he said on that interview that he was pretty sure that he could apply a model of attack, should the case arise, where he was 99% confident that it would be successful.
He obviously didn’t give the details, as that information is classified, but he was pretty relaxed about it.
I might have read it in either Haaretz or the JPost.
If you guys can find it online, read it.
It’s very interesting, to say the least.
July 4, 2015 at 2:35 PM
Happy 4th back at you Joop.