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Hamas Threatens Third Intifada

One of the Hamas? main political leaders, Haled Meshaal, has threatened Israel and the international community that the group will launch a third intifada ? or uprising ? if its demands are not met within six months. Meshaal, speaking from Syria who he lives, said that Hamas demands a fully independent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 war borders. If not, he warns, the movement will halt all political negotiations and turn to a more violent option.

In recent months, Hamas and the ruling Palestinian authority, Fatah have been involved in negotiations regarding the formation of a unity government. The international community warned that it would not accept a unity government that included Hamas if the terrorist movement did not guarantee to halt any further attacks on Israel and declare its acceptance of the Jewish state. Hamas has vowed never to recognize Israel?s existence and its militants have been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent Israelis in terror attacks in recent years.

After Arab forces attacked Israel in 1967, the Israeli government took over the West Bank and Gaza and maintained control over the areas since then. Last year, as part of former Israeli president, Ariel Sharon?s vision for peace, Israeli troops withdrew from Gaza and many Jewish settlements were uprooted and turned over to Palestinian authorities. Unfortunately, the Palestinians continued in their attacks against Israel, with continued heightened tensions in the area due to constant rocket attacks against Israel?s Negev region and the town of Sderot. A shaky cease-fire has since been declared, although many remain pessimistic over how long it will last.