Revisiting the Seventies

Published: Feb 1, 2010 10:49 PM Updated: Feb 1, 2010 11:01 PM

The assassination of Hamas' figure, Mahmoud Al Mabhouh last week in a hotel in Dubai, might trigger yet another proxy war era between Hamas and Israel; similar to the one that took place several decades ago between Israel and the PLO.

Many fingers have pointed towards Israel as a prime suspect in the assassination of Al-Mabhouh, particularly highlighting the Mossad's involvement in the case. Consequently, Hamas has vowed a similar retaliation as it threatened to expand its scope of operations to oversea territories against Israeli officials.

Hamas have kept utter silence concerning the purpose of Al-Mabhouh's recent travel agenda, whereas security reports indicate that he was sent on a high profile mission by the militant group. Reports indicated that Al- Mabhouh is said to have been involved in the smuggling of advanced rocket systems from Iran to the Hamas ruled Gaza strip, containing long range rockets that could hit the heart of Israel. It is noteworthy that Hamas already possesses a large arsenal of short-range weapons and adding long ranged rockets to this arsenal is deemed as an intolerable threat by Israeli officials.

"We have maintained that the confrontation between us and the Israeli enemy be within the occupied land. Israel wants to change the rules of the game and to open the international field for battles - so it will be responsible for a worthy and similar response on our behalf" this statement was made by senior Hamas figure which has in turn escalated fear of a "terrorist decade" like the one instigated by the PLO in the seventies.

The PLO has carried out several operations beyond Palestinian territories against Israeli targets in the seventies. The most significant of these operations was in September of 1970, where the PLO hijacked three jets which were later blown up after freeing the passengers in front of television cameras. The operation was carried out as a punishment to the United Sates for supporting Israel. The PLO was also responsible for the killing of eleven Israeli athletes and coaches during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.

The current status quo however indicates that a multi-party conflict is due to erupt, if Hamas was to follow the change in the "rules of the game". Exporting its conflict with Israel at this point will not only include Palestinian and Israeli parties, but other parties are expected to pitch in significantly. Many analysts forecast the intervention of Hezbollah in the heated conflict, since Hamas lacks the experience in conducting external operations and would accordingly need assistance. Some has gone as far as to expect the increment of Iranian support beyond merely supplying the militant groups with weaponry, to providing logistical assistance and intelligence.

On the other hand, Hamas has requested to be part of the investigations carried out by the Emirian local authorities in the murder of Al-Mabhour. This request was met by an outright refusal from the local police chief who indicated that he will only cooperate with the Palestinian embassy in the investigations into the killing of Hamas' commander, not with "individual elements".

Not taking no for an answer, Hamas has remained persistent in following up with the murder case of their senior member given that they have announced their plan to send representatives to Dubai to take part in a joint investigation. Furthermore, Aiman Taha, Hamas sopeskman, has made it clear that he expects full cooperation from authorities in Dubai reiterating that the "Zionist enemy will pay a heavy price for this crime".

This has hence cast an aura of doubt and speculation over the extreme importance given to the issue by Hamas, who may have decided to export the conflict for reasons that exceed retaliation against Israel.