Shin Bet: Hamas in Syria plans suicide bombings

The security services are increasingly concerned that the Hamas leadership in Syria is intensifying efforts to undermine the diplomatic dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority through a series of spectacular terrorist attacks.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas are scheduled to meet in Jerusalem tomorrow as part of their push toward an "agreement of principles" ahead of the regional summit organized under U.S. auspices for November.

At an intelligence briefing during the cabinet meeting yesterday, the deputy head of the Shin Bet said the Hamas leadership in Damascus has instructed West Bank-based militants to attempt a large-scale attack inside Israel.

"There are efforts by Khaled Meshal [Hamas' political bureau chief based in Damascus] and the Hamas leadership abroad to formulate a plan to undermine the diplomatic efforts between PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Israel," Y., the deputy head of the Shin Bet, told the ministers.

However, Hamas officials offered differing opinions yesterday on the question of renewing terrorist attacks in the West Bank and Israel.

A political adviser to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Ahmad Yousef, told Haaretz that the Shin Bet's assessments are inaccurate.

"There is no change in the Hamas position. Israel is threatening us and attacking us - we are only responding to provocations. But we do not intend to initiate any action, like the resumption of suicide bombings," Yousef said.

However, Fawzi Barhum, spokesman for Hamas in Gaza, told Haaretz that the organization intends to use any means to achieve its aims. He refused to confirm or deny the charges by the Shin Bet deputy head.

For his part, the Shin Bet officer explained that Hamas is very frustrated by the developments in the Gaza Strip and the losses the group has suffered in operations recently by the Israel Defense Forces.

Hamas is also dissatisfied with the results of its attempts to gain international legitimacy, especially among countries in the European Union.

The officer also pointed to Fatah's steadfast refusal to resume negotiations with Hamas and the continuing pressure on Islamic militants in the West Bank as other factors creating anxiety among the group's members.

"According to intelligence, Hamas is frustrated by the fact that the Rafah crossing [on the border with Egypt] has remained closed, and there are those within the organization who are considering an escalation of operations against Egypt to force the opening of the crossing," Y. said.

The fact the organization is being blamed by many people in the Gaza Strip for the deteriorating living conditions there and the internal Palestinian crisis is posing a strategic challenge for Hamas.

The Shin Bet official said that this fact increases the likelihood that Hamas will have to change its policy on carrying out attacks, shifting its weight from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank and possibly also abroad.

In spite of Israel's successes at countering Hamas, Islamic Jihad militants in the northern West Bank continue to pose a serious threat.

Referring to the condition of the Gaza population, Y. said that although there is no immediate danger of a humanitarian crisis unfolding there, the private sector has suffered a near fatal blow because of the closure of the enclave.

The renewed suspicions that Hamas' Damascus-based leadership is planning to escalate the conflict is not contributing to an easing of tensions between Israel and Syria.

The IDF forces on the Golan Heights are still on a relatively high level of alert and the army is holding large-scale training exercises.

A number of positions along the border have recently been reactivated, and the IDF has postponed the replacement of a number of senior officers. Among those whose replacement has been postponed are the deputy chief of staff, Moshe Kaplinsky, and the chief of operations at the General Staff.

Defense sources told Haaretz they believe that Syria's intentions are likely to become clear in a few weeks.

Among the issues that Israel is concerned about are the close ties between Syria and Iran, and the growing transfer of advanced weaponry to Syria and Hezbollah.