Top Hamas officials met with Taliban leaders several weeks ago to congratulate the radicals who were then rolling through Afghanistan, according to Palestinian media outlets affiliated with Hamas that released photos of the meeting this week.
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Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh and his deputy Saleh al-Arouri met with Taliban head Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and other senior officials. According to Palestinian sources privy to the matter, the meeting took place in the Qatari capital of Doha shorty after Operation Guardian of the Walls, the recent 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas, in which the terrorist organization claimed victory.
In the meeting, Baradar reportedly praised Hamas and its leaders "for their steadfast opposition to the Zionist enemy and the long-awaited victory."
A senior Hamas official also said that, at the time, Hamas kept the meeting secret, but decided to confirm it after Taliban took over Kabul. Senior Hamas official Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook even sent Baradar an official letter, in which he congratulated the radicals on seizing the Afghani capital and vowed continued support from Hamas.
Meanwhile, tensions are on the rise between Israel and Hamas.
The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese Al-Akhbar newspaper reported Tuesday that several days prior, the terrorist organization informed Egypt – which mediates the fragile seize fire between Israel and Hamas – that it was planning to gradually increase pressure on Israel unless it allowed Qatari aid to be transferred to the Gaza Strip in the form of cash.
The terrorist organization said it was considering marching with tens of thousands of Palestinians to the Israeli border, similarly to its infamous "March of Return," as well as send incendiary balloons into Israeli territory, burn tires and throw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israel Defense Forces soldiers.
Israel is concerned that the resumption of Qatari payments could enable the terror group to rebuild its military capabilities expended during the latest round of violence.
On Monday, Hamas launched a rocket into southern Israel for the first time since Operation Guardian of the Walls ended. Luckily, the Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted the rocket and no injuries were reported.
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