Hamas Attempts Another Kidnapping
Charles Johnson
Tue Apr 24, 2007 at 10:37 am PDT • Views: 351
The rocket attacks launched today against Israel by Hamas were intended as cover for a kidnapping attempt.
The barrages of Kassam rockets and mortar shells Hamas fired at Israel on Tuesday morning were meant to provide cover for and distract attention from an attempted infiltration by a terror cell, whose members intended to kidnap IDF soldiers deployed along the Gaza border, IDF sources reported Tuesday afternoon.
The sources said that the army’s heightened alert, as well as a quick response by ground troops and IAF helicopters that had been hovering over Gaza, foiled the attempt. According to preliminary reports, no cell managed to cross into Israel.
The IDF has been on high alert in recent weeks, ever since receiving intelligence that Hamas was planning to abduct soldiers in a raid similar to the one near Kerem Shalom in June, 2006 in which Cpl. Gilad Schalit was captured.
According to an IDF source, Tuesday’s attack was “Hizbullah-style,” in that the group launched rockets to distract the troops on patrol and provide cover for the cell members’ movements.
Hamas doesn’t even try to hide it; their intention to kidnap more Israeli soldiers was discussed openly on Hamas TV. It’s a direct result of Ehud Olmert’s announced plan to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for abducted soldier Gilad Shalit.
Frank says: