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Hamas involvement in kidnapping places Palestinian unity government under spotlight
As Israeli security forces continue to arrest Hamas leaders in connection with the kidnapping of three Israeli youngsters, the abduction has raised questions over the viability of the Palestinian unity government. Palestinian officials quoted in the Israeli media have suggested that this could bring an end to the reconciliation process.
Israel’s operation to locate the teenagers who were kidnapped on Thursday, has largely focused on the arrest of Hamas leaders in the West Bank, with a further 41 apprehended last night. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said directly that Hamas members carried out the abduction. However, no organisation has yet admitted responsibility for the kidnapping.
The kidnapping follows the recent establishment of a Palestinian unity government under a single authority backed by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah faction in the West Bank and the Hamas authority in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu said on Sunday, “Israel holds the Palestinian Authority and President Abbas responsible for any attacks against Israel that emanate from Palestinian-controlled territory.”
Until the unity deal, the PA had cooperated closely with Israeli security forces in the West Bank, often helping them act against Hamas, which remains committed to violent struggle against Israel. Although PA forces are helping the Israeli army in the search for the missing teenagers, the kidnapping will raise questions over whether the PA can be a security partner for Israel whilst it is at the same time coordinating with Hamas.
In Maariv this morning, an unnamed Palestinian official is quoted saying, “if it turns out that Hamas is behind the kidnapping, then they effectively will have backstabbed the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah.” He suggested that, “there was an agreement that Hamas would refrain from terrorist attacks” as part of the unity deal. He continued to explain, “If it turns out that Hamas is responsible for the kidnapping, they will have crossed a red line and we won’t be able to continue the reconciliation.”