Khaled Mashal Warns Israel About Changing the 'Rules of the Game'

Khaled Mashal, head of Hamas's political bureau, stated, "If Israel changes the rules of the game, Palestinians are ready to accept this challenge." According to the Jerusalem Post, Mashal spoke via video conference at a memorial for Mazen al-Fuqaha, a slain leader of Hamas's military wing in Gaza, on Tuesday, April 7. Mashal added that Hamas reacts to the "martyrdom of its fighters" not just in words and slogans but in action. He emphasized, "It does not matter to us that Israel is stronger; our will and faith are stronger than their force and weapons." Israeli media interpreted Mashal's remarks as Hamas's readiness to target Israeli officials. Earlier, Israeli and Palestinian media reported that Mazen al-Fuqaha, a prominent member of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, was assassinated on the evening of Friday, April 4, outside his home in Gaza. According to reports, al-Fuqaha was killed by gunfire from a four-member team equipped with silenced weapons in the "Tel al-Hawa" camp in southern Gaza. Hamas leaders stated, "All evidence and the manner of operation in the assassination attempt on Mazen al-Fuqaha indicate that this assassination could only have been the work of the Israeli Mossad." Mazen al-Fuqaha, 38, was sentenced to nine life terms in an Israeli court in 2003 for sending a suicide bomber to Israel, which led to the explosion of a bus in Safed and the deaths of nine Israelis. However, Israel released al-Fuqaha among 1,047 security prisoners in November 2011 to secure the release of its captured soldier Gilad Shalit from Hamas. Despite his release, al-Fuqaha was exiled to Gaza by Israel and continued his activities in Hamas's military wing. Tens of thousands of Palestinians participated in the funeral of Mazen al-Fuqaha on Saturday evening, April 5, alongside Yahya Sinwar, the newly elected Hamas leader for Gaza, and Ismail Haniyeh. Israeli media reported on Sunday, April 6, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not mention the assassination of al-Fuqaha during his weekly cabinet meeting. However, according to Israeli media, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman stated that Ismail Haniyeh should be careful—though Lieberman did not directly refer to the assassination of al-Fuqaha. Lieberman's warning came amid a new security crisis between Israel and Hamas. Israel has warned Hamas leaders about the consequences of digging tunnels for terrorist activities and firing rockets from Gaza into Israel. Israeli media reported that Lieberman recently suggested to the government, security agencies, and the army to resume targeting Hamas leaders. Israel has been accused of assassinating many Hamas leaders over the past decade. The most notable Hamas leaders killed in assassinations attributed to Israel were Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdul Aziz al-Rantisi, who were assassinated in March and April 2004 during the height of the second intifada, following the deaths of hundreds of Israelis in Hamas suicide bombings. Nevertheless, Israel confirms that Mohammed Deif, commander of Hamas's military wing, remains alive despite numerous assassination attempts against him and continues his activities from hiding. In recent internal developments within Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, a well-known former security prisoner in Israeli jails, has been elected to lead Hamas in the Gaza Strip, replacing Ismail Haniyeh, who is preparing to take over the overall leadership of Hamas from Khaled Mashal. Mashal's presidency is coming to an end soon, and he has stated that he will not run for Hamas leadership again. The Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, has lost control of the Gaza Strip since the summer of 2007, and Hamas has governed Gaza alone after severing its partnership with Fatah. The Jerusalem Post reported on Tuesday, April 8, that the Israeli army has recently arrested several Hamas activists in the West Bank. The Israeli internal security agency also reported last week the arrest of several Hamas activists, some of whom were members of the Palestinian parliament.