Israel blames Hamas political leaders for abductions
Israel is no longer buying the distinction between Hamas' political and military divisions.
The interview given by Hamas' political bureau chief Khaled Meshaal to the Al Jazeera network on June 23 lent itself to three conclusions. First, that Hamas did, indeed, abduct the three (high-school) rabbinical students; second, that the kidnapping took the movement’s leadership by surprise; and, third, that he and the other movement’s leaders have no control over Hamas’ military wing — an embarrassing admission on Meshaal’s part.
“Hamas is comprised of a political wing and a military wing,” he said, and therefore he cannot give orders to the military echelons. “They are well-aware of Hamas’ policies and are committed to the movement’s political approach,” he said.
