News out of Israel today reveals that Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency, similar to the FBI) has foiled an attempt by Hamas operatives to overthrow Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in order to destabilize the region and potentially incite a third intifada (“uprising, resistance”).

(Weapons seized by Shin Bet)

The cell was reportedly funded by Hamas leaders in Turkey with goals to carry out a series of terrorist attacks, leading to a military coup.  Currently, there are almost 100 Hamas operatives in Israeli custody, and over 40 have been interrogated by Shin Bet.  Salah al-Aruri has been identified as the leader of this movement.  al-Aruri has spent years in prison for terrorist activities and was part of a release agreement with Israel in 2010.

Shin Bet has identified 46 terrorist cells in Palestinian West Bank towns and villages, stretching far to the north and to the south of Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem Post reports that planned attacks were meant to take place during the Israeli-Gaza conflict in order to open up a second front.  The Post also reports:

Deputy Minister for Liaison with the Knesset Ofir Akunis said that Hamas’ attempt at a coup shows that the Palestinian Authority would not be able to control Gaza.

“This is a warning sign that sharpens our understanding that we cannot let the Left’s dreams turn into everyone’s nightmare,” Akunis said. “This is further proof that the Palestinian unity government was a terrorist government meant to give Hamas legitimization on the way to expand its terrorist nests.”

Akunis called for the Left to “wake up from its dreams about Palestinian unity leading to regional peace” and understand that Hamas seeks to harm Israel and its citizens.

The paradox in the Middle East is that, while various Islamic groups seemingly have no hesitation to go to war against one another, they unite when it comes to Israel.  This is one example of Hamas turning against the Palestinian Authority in order to bring chaos to Israel.  Fellow believers, that is the nature of evil.  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122)…and her neighbors!