Largest terror op in 3 years was to 'execute mass killings and abductions'
By Aaron Klein
JAFFA, Israel – Hamas used two seized U.S. military vehicles to carry out a large-scale attack this weekend against a major Israeli border crossing, Hamas leaders told WND. 
The vehicles were captured when Hamas last June took complete control of the Gaza Strip, overtaking all U.S.-backed security compounds in the territory associated with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party. The U.S. provided Fatah with weapons, vehicles and large sums of financial and military aid.
Israeli defense officials called yesterday's border attack the largest, most sophisticated Hamas terrorist operation since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. 
"We utilized two American armored Jeep vehicles in the heroic operation at Kerem Shalom," said Abu Abdullah, who is considered one of the most important operational members of Hamas' so-called military wing. "We obtained the vehicles last June."
Muhammad Abdel-Al, the spokesperson and a leader of the Hamas-allied Popular Resistance Committees terrorist organization which participated in this weekend's attack, confirmed two American vehicles were utilized. 
Abdel-Al added, "We warned you we would obtain all the weapons the Zionists and Americans gave to your puppets in Fatah. It is only a matter of time before we take over the West Bank and obtain the American weapons you are giving Fatah now." 
In the attack, which took place just hours after the Jewish state ushered in the Passover holiday, two explosive-laden vehicles disguised as Israeli military jeeps exploded at the Kerem Shalom crossing, the main Israeli transport area for goods and humanitarian aid into Gaza.   
Thirteen Israel Defense Forces soldiers were hurt in the attack, most wounded lightly to moderately. 
The two vehicles arrived at Kerem Shalom under the cover of dozens of mortar shells just after a third armored vehicle ripped a hole in the border fence. The two disguised vehicles exploded inside the crossing, one reportedly close to a group of soldiers. 
The drivers of all three vehicles were killed when their cars exploded. 
At roughly the same time as the Kerem Shalom attack, the Israel Defense Forces fired a missile at a truck approaching Kissufim, another border area previously used to cross into Gaza. The missile caused a massive explosion, indicating the truck was carrying a large amount of explosives defense sources believe was to be used in a second, simultaneous border attack at Kissufim. 
At nearly the same time along another area of the border, IDF soldiers spotted two Palestinians carrying explosives approaching the border fence just outside Kibbutz Be'eri, a Jewish town bordering Gaza. An IDF force of 11 soldiers entered Gaza in pursuit of the terrorists only to quickly realize they were being ambushed in an apparent Hamas trap. Four Hamas snipers fired at the unit, killing three IDF soldiers.   
Defense officials here believe Hamas attempted a major, coordinated attack at several points along Israel's Gaza border.   
Yoav Galant, IDF commander in the Gaza area, called the offensive Hamas' boldest operation since Israel's Gaza retreat. 
He said the attack, "the likes of which we have not seen since the disengagement," was an attempt "to execute mass-killings and abductions." 
Galant told reporters Hamas was "harming the interest of the Palestinians themselves, by attack crossings which are the humanitarian lifelines of Gaza."
Former deputy defense minister Ephraim Sneh said the attack revealed "the true face of Hamas, which is [itself] creating the blockade on Gaza's people."  
But back in Gaza City, Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, said his terror group would carry out more attacks on crossings to break what he claimed was an Israeli blockade of the territory.
"These operations are the beginning of the explosions that Hamas has warned of," said Abu Zuhri. "If the parties don't intervene quickly to save Gaza and break the siege, what is coming will be greater."  
WND previously reported Hamas obtained armored U.S. military jeeps. 
Immediately after Hamas staged its coup and took over Gaza, WND quoted Hamas officials stating they seized "enormous" stockpiles of foreign weapons, including U.S. arms, that had been stored in Fatah security compounds. 
The U.S. in recent years reportedly transferred large quantities of weaponry to build up Fatah forces against rival Hamas. Hamas officials told WND in multiple interviews prior to last June they would seize the American weapons.
Hamas last summer provided WND with a partial list of what the terror group said were seized weapons,  The list included:
"Dozens" of mounted machine guns that can fire at Israeli helicopters
Approximately 7,400 American M-16 assault rifles
About 800,000 rounds of bullets.
Eighteen armored personnel carriers
Seven armored military jeeps
"Tens" of armored civilian cars, including pickup trucks and magnums.
Eight massive trucks equipped with water cannons for dispersing protests
Fourteen military-sized bulldozers
Hamas' latest round of terrorist attacks comes as former president Jimmy Carter this weekend continued meeting Hamas leaders and reportedly discussed with them a cease fire to include the possibility of the Palestinians assuming some security control of the Gaza side of Israel's major border crossings. 
Carter met twice this weekend with Hamas chieftain Khaled Mashaal, and his deputy, Moussa Abu Marzouk, who both reside in Syria. The two men are accused of masterminding attacks that have killed hundreds of civilians.  
"Several subjects were discussed, including [Israeli-Palestinian] crossing points, [captured Israeli soldier Gilad] Schalit, the siege on the Palestinians and a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel," Abu Marzouk said.  
The AP quoted a senior Hamas official in Damascus, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the meetings between Carter and Hamas as "warm."  
Last week, Carter met in Egypt with senior Hamas leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar and Saeed Seyam.   
Israeli security officials stated it was "almost a one hundred percent certainty" both al-Zahar and Seyam were involved in planning this weekend's border attacks. 
Al-Zahar and Seyam are identified by both Israeli and Palestinian security officials as the two most senior leaders of Hamas' so-called military wing, which carries out terrorist activities from the Gaza Strip, including rocket strikes, suicide bombings, border raids, kidnappings and shooting attacks. 
In a WND exclusive interview earlier this week, Ahmed Yousuf, Hamas' top political adviser in the Gaza Strip, called Carter a "noble person" whose planned meeting with Hamas would help the terror organization "engage with the world community."
Original Source