Posted on 03/13/2004 1:26:55 AM PST by highlander_UW
Hamas admits being part of global jihad.
The Palestinian terror group Hamas admits to having Muslim bombers in Britain.
Almost a year after two British Muslims slipped into Mike's Place – a Tel Aviv beachfront blues bar – and attempted to carry out a double suicide bombing, the Gaza-based Hamas has claimed responsibility for the April 30 attack that left three dead and scores wounded.
It is the first time the Palestinian terror group has presented one of its actions as part of a global Islamic struggle.
British citizens Asaf Hanif, 22 from west London and Omar Khan Sharif, 25 from Derby, were both armed with explosive belts, but only Hanif's detonated leading Israeli investigators to believe that the second malfunctioned. Sharif's body floated ashore a few days later having apparently drowned trying to evade capture in the minutes after the blast.
Relatives of both bombers are still awaiting trial in the UK on charges relating to the attack filed under new British anti-terrorism legislation drafted in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in America.
"We have decided that the response to the crime of the assassination of Dr. Ibrahim Almakadeh should take place at the global level of the Islamic world, because of the views represented by the doctor, a supreme Islamic thinker and commander," the military wing of Hamas said earlier this week, underlining the nature of the strategic decision to use non-Palestinian suicide bombers.
Since its foundation in 1987, Hamas has so far emphasized the local nature of its goals and character, according to Ha'aretz, fiercely refuting attempts to tie it to global Islamic organizations like al-Qaida.
Nevertheless, the declaration released this week says the two Britons' attack was timed for the first anniversary of the IDF helicopter missile strike against Almakadeh that killed him and three aides in Gaza City in 2002. He was one of the founding members of Hamas and a key military leader during much of the 1990s and current intifada.
Although Israeli authorities suspected Hamas involvement, it is believed the organization refrained from claiming the attack at the time for fear of having its charitable and political branches placed on the UK's list of terror organizations.
Well, OK then. Fire up the B52s and give the Israelis the heads up to keep their heads down.
Yeah!
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