2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

PEACE PROCESS
hoped that the PA would use this opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to govern and improve
the life of Gaza’s population. For some, Israel’s withdrawal provided a chance to show that Israeli
withdrawals from Palestinian-populated areas could galvanize a process of reconciliation between
Israelis and Palestinians and, ultimately, peace between Israel and a Palestinian state.
Unfortunately, that did not happen. After Israel withdrew, Hamas-led radical forces shattered the
prospects for building peace. First, Hamas won parliamentary elections in January 2006 and led a
unity government with Fatah, the party of PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
Then, in June 2007, Hamas carried out a bloody coup against the Fatah Party, forcibly taking
over the Gaza Strip. After the coup, Abbas dismissed the Hamas-led government and established
a technocratic government led by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, whose government controls the
West Bank. However, Hamas remains in control of Gaza.
Hamas Expands Weapons Smuggling, Military Infrastructure
Since the 2007 coup, Hamas has expanded both the quantity and sophistication of its weapons
arsenal. Hamas manufactures Qassam rockets, which it has indiscriminately fired at Israeli
border towns such as Sderot. Hamas has also manufactured its own longer-range missiles and
has imported more destructive longer-range Katyusha rockets and Fajr-5 rockets that can reach
major Israeli population centers, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beersheba and Ashkelon. Since
2001, Hamas fired approximately 14,000 rockets and missiles at Israel. Today, the terrorist
group possesses a significant arsenal of an estimated 6,000 to 8,000. Iran and other radical
regimes have provided Hamas with extensive financial and military aid.
Hamas Refuses to End Violence, Accept Israel
The situation in Gaza remains a hotbed of terror due to Hamas’ violent agenda. In November
2012, after Hamas launched hundreds of rockets at Israeli civilians, Israel launched a defensive
operation in Gaza aimed at ending the rocket fire, similar to an operation carried out by Israel
in late 2008. The Israeli campaign reduced Hamas’ ability to launch rockets, degraded some of
Hamas’ long-range capabilities, and took out senior Hamas terrorists. However, following the
operation, Iran quickly resumed efforts to rearm Hamas.
Hamas continues to flout the internationally backed principles and instead remains steadfast
in calling for the destruction of Israel. During the commemoration of Hamas’ 25th anniversary
in December 2012, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal said, “Jihad and armed resistance are the
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