Iran-Hamas

    Iran is helping Hamas upgrade its military capabilities by providing technology, funding, and direct military training to Palestinian militants throughout the Middle East, Israel Defense Forces GOC Southern Command Yoav Galant said Wednesday. Galant said Hamas has taken advantage of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip to build itself up. "Boosted by their newfound ability to travel abroad, Hamas militants have been going back and forth to hostile countries for training," he said. "They are sending activists to Syria, Lebanon, to Iran," Galant, speaking in English, said at public briefing. "And the opposite [happens]. People from Iran come inspect the situation in the area, give them the proper training and coaching, exam them and see if they hit the target they gave them."Galant said the training and technology has enabled Hamas to grow from a ragtag militia into a well-organized group resembling an army - complete with battalions, companies, platoons and special forces for surveillance, snipers, and explosive experts. Israel has repeatedly accused Iran - as well as its allies Syria and the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah - of supporting Palestinian militant groups. Hamas' Damascus-based political leader, Khaled Meshal, was in Tehran this week raising money for his group.Galant also called the Gaza strip cease-fire a tactical move for Hamas to strengthen itself. "While observing the truce, Israel has a military plan ready," he said. "We prefer to give a chance to the cease-fire at the present," he added. "But we have to prepare ourselves for a war situation in the future, he said. He did not elaborate. "Hamas has managed to arm itself by smuggling goods through tunnels across the border with Egypt," Galant said.In a four-way meeting among representatives from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the United States and Europe held yesterday morning, Palestinian representatives said Israel's handling of the Rafah border crossing hurt the public image of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and his supporters. The Palestinian team, headed by senior Abbas aide Saeb Erekat, protested Israel's policy not to allow continuous traffic through the crossing. The Palestinians promised to take care of security concerns relating to the crossing, such as placing security cameras ,media reported.(19,50)