The Wacky Terrorist Next Door

A shadowy terrorist figure issuing threats against Israel? Go figure!

JERUSALEM — Hamas terrorists released a videotape Saturday purportedly showing a bombmaker believed to top Israel's most-wanted list celebrating the Gaza Strip pullout as a victory for armed resistance.

Senior Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, who masterminded the deaths of dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings, also urged the destruction of the Jewish state. It was the latest call for continued violence by Hamas officials as the group refocuses its armed struggle on the West Bank, where most of Israel's 246,000 settlers live.

"You are leaving Gaza today in shame," Deif said in comments directed toward Israel, which finished evacuating the last of its 21 Gaza settlements Monday. "Today you are leaving hell. But we promise you that tomorrow all Palestine will be hell for you, God willing."

In the tape, Deif praised the armed struggle against Israel. Hamas has killed hundreds of Israelis since violence resumed in 2000.

"We did not achieve the liberation of the Gaza Strip without this holy war and this steadfastness," he said, adding that attacks should continue until Israel is eradicated.

Israel's obliteration is Hamas' ultimate goal.

Actually, the "Palestinians" didn't achieve the "liberation" of Gaza at all. The Israelis withdrew from it unilaterally. This is one of the unfortunate side-effects of the Gaza withdrawal, and, God willing (pun intended), I'll be posting my thoughts on the Gaza situation at some point today. I'm not as keyed up about it as Billy D was. For now, it will be sufficient for me to say that it frustrates me. I'll give you more later.