Israeli Military Officers Urge No Contacts “Whatsoever” With Hamas

Israeli radio reports at 0400 gmt on 21 June: “Senior IDF officers say no negotiations or contacts whatsoever should be held with Hamas, not even through international organizations, because this will only strengthen the terrorist organization and accord it legitimacy. Noting that coordination with such international organizations as the ICRC constitute indirect contact with Hamas, a senior officer said that Israel can extend humanitarian aid without any coordination. We can place food and medicines on the other side of the border, he said, and let Hamas decide how to distribute them. The senior officer added that Israel must now direct its attention to the West Bank. There has been a real change in the modus operandi of the Fatah security apparatuses, which are trying to impose their authority in the West Bank and are acting intensively against Hamas activists. Many of them have been arrested and dozens have been wounded, the officer asserted.”

Political correspondent Shmu’el Tal adds in a live report at 0405 gmt: “Senior sources in Jerusalem say that Israel will defend itself but will in no way intervene in what is happening inside the Gaza Strip. Israel has not changed its policy: Hamas remains a hostile factor and operations against it will continue in accordance with the usual policy. In his speech yesterday Mahmud Abbas sort of clarified that linking up with Hamas was no longer an option for him – a development Israel had feared, especially in light of Saudi Arabia’s pressure on him to resume contacts with Hamas. Nor had the possibility of holding contacts with Hamas been mentioned in any way in his meeting with US President Bush, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated. That’s completely out of question, the prime minister categorically affirmed, adding that Hamas is totally committed to a violent struggle against Israel. In contrast, the new Palestinian government must be given a chance. Israel must take steps to stabilize the situation in Judea and Samaria, Olmert said, to help build services and a stable security system there and to bolster the authority of the new government.”

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