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Last update - 09:24 04/06/2009
Hamas dismisses commanders on Iran order
By Avi Issacharoff
Tags: Israel News, Gaza, Hamas 

Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal recently relieved two brigade commanders in the Gaza Strip on Iranian recommendations, Palestinian sources said Wednesday. The two officers, Bassam Issa and Imat Aakel, were removed from their positions following the recommendation of Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials who participated in the investigation of the perceived Hamas military failure during Operation Cast Lead. The two officers have been known to lead military wing formations in two of the Strip's refugee camps, Nuseirat and Bureij, and became brigade commanders when the Hamas regular military force was established.

During Operation Cast Lead, Hamas forces avoided confrontation with the IDF and did not incur great casualties among the Israeli troops. Because of the perceived failure, the organization's leadership decided to initiate a thorough investigation of the conduct of its men during the operation.

Palestinian sources said Meshal consulted Hassan Mahdawi, commander of the "Jerusalem Column" in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, a unit stationed in Lebanon. After the investigation was concluded, the Hamas leadership decided to change the organizational structure of the military wing and remove a number of field commanders.
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Issa and Aakel have also recently been at odds with Hamas' new interior minister, Fathi Hammad, who had tried to extend his authority over the organization's military wing. The ongoing disagreements between the Hamas government and senior commanders in the military wing resulted in the unauthorized firing of a Grad-type rocket at Ashkelon about three months ago. The launch was carried out as a protest by the military wing against the constraints set by the government.

Palestinian sources said Hammad decided to prosecute any persons involved in criminal activity, including activists from the military wing. He also banned the use of dark windows in all Gaza vehicles - popular among Hamas activists. The sources said Hammad enjoyed the support of the commander of the military wing, Ahmed Al-Jabari, while some local commanders, like Aakel and Issa, disagreed. Fatah sources claim Hamas' internal crisis was further aggravated by other senior leadership figures, who blame their lack of recent promotion on Hammad.

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      1.   Ha`aretz reporting Fatah disinformation 06:09  |  Observer 04/06/09
      2.   And Obama is pressing for yet another Iranian protectorate in WB 06:11  |  Fortuna Benmayor 04/06/09
      3.   Dop[es. don`t you understand whats happening? 07:09  |  No Dope 04/06/09
      4.   This is scary 07:27  |  Alex 04/06/09
      5.   Proves Israel won in Gaza 08:20  |  The Prophet 04/06/09
      6.   Jerusalem Column" in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, in Lebanon 08:46  |  Dan 04/06/09
      7.   The Gazan commanders apparently sat-it-out. under-ground... 08:53  |  Esther 04/06/09
      8.   During the war, Hamas hided like the rats they are 09:20  |  maurice 04/06/09
      9.   #4 The Prophet 09:53  |  Chris Linthwaite 04/06/09
      10.   #5 The Prophet 09:54  |  Chris Linthwaite 04/06/09
      11.   propaganda "trying to blur gaza with iran then escuse to invade" 10:27  |  muslim-- 04/06/09
      12.   #8 and #9 You can`t have it both ways Chris, old boy 10:28  |  The Prophet 04/06/09
      13.   hamas failed??? 11:59  |  Adrian de Klerk 04/06/09
      14.   WHERE were the uniforms of these cowards in the war? 13:48  |  PETER SM 04/06/09
      15.   Gaza must determine its own destiny or perish 17:16  |  Witness 04/06/09
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