Hamas leader: Armed wing will not join security forces

The armed wing of the Islamic Hamas will not join Palestinian security forces, a spokesman for the militant group was quoted as saying today, commenting on possible changes as the Islamic group works toward setting up a new government.

The spokesman, called only Abu Obeida in an interview on a Hamas website, said the armed wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, will not dismantle or join official police forces.

The subject has arisen because Hamas is forming a new Palestinian government and would control at least some of the security forces.

“The problem was not the members of the security forces, but in the policies they followed,” Abu Obeida said.

“As for merging the military wing of Hamas completely in the security forces, ie dismantling the military wing, this will not happen. We will keep the current wing in all its organisational form under any circumstances.”

However, he noted that a yearlong cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians is still in effect and indicated Hamas would continue to respect it.

Israel’s defence minister today threatened to assassinate Hamas leaders, including incoming Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, if Hamas resumes attacks against Israel.

Hamas says its military and political wings are separate, but Israel rejects that.