Hamas official: Those firing rockets at Israel are rebels

During interview with 'Al-Hayat' Mahmoud Zahar claims group agreed to truce with Israel, says this kind of rebellion could lead to anarchy.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
jihad mortar rocket 298.88 (photo credit: AP)
jihad mortar rocket 298.88
(photo credit: AP)
Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar said Saturday that militants who continue to fire rockets towards Israel are "rebels."
In an interview with London-based Al-Hayat newspaper Zahar explained that "there is a ceasefire agreement that was formulated after the war [Operation Cast Lead in Gaza]. Did we reach the agreement in order to comply with or to violate it?"
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"Do they expect us applaud someone who rebels against the organization? This rebellion could lead to anarchy, " the Hamas official continued.
Zahar also denied claims that Iran and Syria have been disturbing efforts to reach an agreement between Hamas and its rival Fatah, which rules the West Bank, claiming that  such reports were "irrational," the report claimed.
Zahar also denied claims that Hamas had been systematically and brutally violating human rights in the coastal Strip, instead blaming Fatah for "turning to Israel and committing crimes against the Palestinian people."
"There are thousands of Hamas members and other organizations that are in Fatah prisons, and then they accuse us that we arrest Fatah members. I call on Fatah to give one detainee's name that was arrested for political reasons. They are simply lying."