One of the mantras of Israel’s critics during Operation Cast Lead last year was that it would only build support for Hamas. I noted at the time anecdotal evidence suggested otherwise. Now the Washington Post is reporting Once seemingly impregnable, Hamas shows signs of vulnerability. The article unfortunately only focuses on the story of the “Green Prince.”
Hamas has been reeling from the assassination of one its leaders, Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, in Dubai on Jan. 19. His killing by what authorities say was a hit team suspected of being part of Israel’s Mossad spy agency has become an international espionage drama that now has a sequel in Yousef’s story.
In his soon-to-be be published memoir, “Son of Hamas,” Yousef, 32, says his code name was “Green Prince” and that he helped Shin Bet operatives kill Hamas leaders and arrest his own father, according to an interview in the Haaretz newspaper.
Shin Bet’s high-level penetration of Hamas, if true, is a “catastrophe for Hamas,” said Mkhaimar Abusada, a political science professor at Al Azhar University in Gaza. It is not clear whether the report will cause Hamas to target other suspected informants or if the movement’s leaders will simply regard it an isolated incident, Abusada said.
Retired Brig. Gen. Shalom Harari, a former army intelligence officer and adviser on Palestinian affairs in Israel’s Defense Ministry, said Yousef’s spying and Mabhouh’s killing make Hamas appear vulnerable.
Elder of Ziyon suggests that there’s much more going on.
Crossposted on Soccer Dad.
