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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Arab rumor that Israel to allow Hamas leaders' homes to be rebuilt

The pro-Fatah Palestine Press Agency, quoting Al Hayat of London, is reporting a rumor that Israel is allowing construction materials to enter Gaza earmarked for Hamas and Al Qassam Brigades leaders.

According to the story, which I could not find in Al Hayat, Israel gave the green light to rebuild the home of Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar as well as the homes of Mohammed Abu Shamala and Raed Attar, both Al Qassam Brigades leaders killed during the war.

Fatah media has a tendency to paint Hamas and Israel as being allies in order to discredit Hamas.

This rumor sounds dubious. Tens of thousands of damaged houses in Gaza have received construction materials necessary to rebuild, but totally destroyed houses are only now being considered for rebuilding. Israel isn't making that decision, and in fact it appears that Hamas has been keeping the almost destroyed Shejaiya neighborhood in particular in ruins to show it off to foreign diplomats and journalists, not even cleaning up the rubble.

Hamas clearly has the opportunity to get cement from the black market, as tunnel and bunker construction is prioritized over home building, so the idea that Hamas leaders couldn't rebuild their homes without Israeli permission is far-fetched.

Today is the anniversary of Israel bombing Zahar's (unfortunately empty) home.