Israel blames Hamas political leaders for abductions
Israel is no longer buying the distinction between Hamas' political and military divisions.
![Hamas leader Meshaal and Nazzal, a member of the Hamas leadership, speak to media after their meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah in Amman Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal (R) and Mohammad Nazzal, a member of the Hamas leadership, speak to media after their meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah at the Royal Palace in Amman January 28, 2013. REUTERS/Majed Jaber (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3D30A](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2014/06/RTR3D30A.jpg/RTR3D30A.jpg?h=c2c5b897&itok=NqS_wHEr)
The interview given by Hamas' political bureau chief Khaled Meshaal to the Al Jazeera network on June 23 lent itself to three conclusions. First, that Hamas did, indeed, abduct the three (high-school) rabbinical students; second, that the kidnapping took the movement’s leadership by surprise; and, third, that he and the other movement’s leaders have no control over Hamas’ military wing — an embarrassing admission on Meshaal’s part.
“Hamas is comprised of a political wing and a military wing,” he said, and therefore he cannot give orders to the military echelons. “They are well-aware of Hamas’ policies and are committed to the movement’s political approach,” he said.