Historical Dictionary of Terrorism Third Edition

When Israel resumed its “targeted killing” policy in June 2005 toassassinate Hamas leaders and militants (which it discontinued laterthat same year), Hamas responded with renewed Qassam rocket attackson Sderot on 15 July 2005. On 25 January 2006 Hamas won a74-seat majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council, while al Fatahretained only 45 seats and other groups won the remaining 13 seats.This has led to a double crisis: First, aid to the Palestinian Authoritywas cut off by the United States and the European Union, which bothregard Hamas as a terrorist organization. Second, it split the governmentof the PA, with Hamas controlling the legislative branch and alFatah controlling the executive branch. Since the 26 November 2006truce between the PA and Israel, much of the violence of the Palestinianfactions is being directed intramurally, although violence againstIsraeli targets still continues.While the fighting associated with this second intifada continued,it appeared to reach a peak around the February 2005 Sharm alSheikh summit between PA President Mahmoud Abbas and IsraeliPrime Minister Ariel Sharon. The second intifada is considered tohave ended with the Gaza truce of 18 June 2008. During the period2000–2008, at least 1,057 Israelis and 5,322 Palestinians werekilled.INTIHARIOUN. See SUICIDE TERRORISM.IRAULTZA • 281IRAULTZA. Iraultza (Basque: “revolution”), or the Basque ArmedRevolutionary Workers’ Organization, was a Basque separatist organizationdedicated to creating an independent and Marxist Basquestate. Very little is known about the origins and composition of theorganization or its relation to other Basque groups.Iraultza did not leave written communiqués, so all that was knownabout the organization came from their telephoned messages, usuallygiven as warnings shortly before their impending bombings. Thegroup opposed international investments in the Basque region. Thegroup also opposed Spain’s participation in the North Atlantic TreatyOrganization (NATO) and was highly critical of the U.S. foreignpolicy of the administration of Ronald Reagan. Despite its vocalanti-American sentiments, however, this group never struck at, orthreatened, U.S. diplomatic facilities or personnel.Iraultza used very small bombs that were usually exploded late atnight to avoid injuring people. The only injury caused by an Iraultza