GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP – UNDATED: This handout photo from the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) group shows what appears to be homemade Qassam rockets that can be shot towards an Israeli settlements in a Gaza Strip. The mortar shells appear to be similar to those fired by Hamas and other military resistance groups at Israeli targets near the Gaza Strip, resulting in damage but no injuries. The mortar shell attacks started after Israeli soldiers reportedly shot dead three Palestinian teenage boys in the town of Rafah near the border between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt. (Photo by Hamas via Getty Images) A Bahrain journalist condemned Hamas for launching rockets against Israel on Sept. 15 during the signing of the peace agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel and Bahrain.
Amjad Taha, who also is a political analyst, said in an appearance on i24 News on that day that the agreements, known as the Abraham Accords, “will contribute enormously to the stability and the prosperity of the region.” He proceeded to denounce Hamas.
“It’s really sad to hear that Hamas, the Iranian militias in Gaza, have launched their rockets towards Ashdod,” Taha said. “We all condemn that. We are really sad to hear that, and we hope Israel retaliates in a firmly and strong way toward these terrorists.”
He added that the Abraham Accords are a sign that Middle East nations can have a healthy debate and dialogue rather than launching rockets at one another, while still maintaining “the Palestinian right for dignified life.”
'It's really sad to hear that Hamas, the Iranian militias in Gaza, have launched their rockets towards Ashdod — we all condemn this and we hope #Israel retaliates firmly towards these terrorists,' says Bahrain-based journalist and political analyst Amjad Taha to i24NEWS: pic.twitter.com/UJivIaTC7P
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) September 15, 2020
Gabriel Groisman, the mayor of Bal Harbor, Fla., tweeted the clip of Taha condemning Hamas. “It’s a new day in the Middle East.”
Bahraini journalist commenting on Hamas’ firing rockets at Israel during the signing of the Abraham Accords. “We condemn it. We are sad to see it. And we hope Israel retaliates strongly and firmly.” It’s a new day in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/QTZQObyCTi
— Gabriel Groisman (@GabeGroisman) September 16, 2020
Two rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israeli communities on Sept. 15; Israel’s Iron Dome defense system intercepted one of the rockets and the other landed in Ashdod, Israel’s largest port city. According to The Jerusalem Post, a man in his 60s who was hit by shrapnel scattered in the attack is currently in serious condition. Four others sustained minor injuries from shrapnel and eight others were treated for shock.
After the rockets were launched, a Hamas spokesperson denounced the Abraham Accords as not being “worth the ink with which they were written — and our people, with their insistence on the struggle until the full recovery of their rights, will deal with these agreements as if they were nonexistent.”
Palestinians responded to the agreements with “days of rage” protests throughout the West Bank. A Fatah activist also told The Jerusalem Post on Sept. 15, “We are on the brink of a third intifada. The Palestinian people feel betrayed by the Arabs and will show the world that the Palestinian issue remains the central issue of all Arabs and Muslims.”
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