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Hamas Web site says group received Hizbollah money 15 Feb 2006 12:43:25 GMT Source: Reuters By Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA, Feb 15 (Reuters) - A Hamas Web site disclosed on Wednesday that fighters from the Palestinian militant group had received funding and training from the Iranian-backed Hizbollah movement in Lebanon, a link long denied by Hamas leaders. A Hamas spokesman in Gaza declined to comment on the information on the Web site, www.info@alqassam.ws, run by the group's armed wing, Izz el-Deen al-Qassam. There was no immediate comment from Hizbollah in Beirut. The site said Hamas, which is dedicated to Israel's destruction and won the Jan. 25 Palestinian election, received funds from Hizbollah to set up the first Hamas cell in the occupied West Bank after an uprising began in 2000. Over the course of three years, members of the cell -- 10 of whom were eventually killed or jailed by Israeli security forces -- carried out attacks that killed 18 Israelis. Hamas member Jaser al-Barghouthi, who formed the cell and recruited its gunmen, sent emissaries to Lebanon "to be trained by Hizbollah and return with needed funds", the Web site said, without giving a figure. The Internet site did not say whether Hizbollah had provided money or training for other Hamas cells. Israel has alleged for years that Hizbollah, one of its most bitter enemies and instrumental in its decision to withdraw from southern Lebanon in 2000 after 22 years of occupation, has been giving Hamas funds and logistical support. Israel considers both groups to be terrorist organisations, a view supported by the United States. Asked about the Web site report, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said: "We have been following this for quite some time now. Hizbollah attempts to create a Hizbollah presence through local proxies in the territories. "We have seen them deal with different extremist Palestinian groups, including Hamas," he said, calling Hizbollah "the long arm of Iran". Hamas has carried out nearly 60 suicide bombings since the uprising started, but has largely observed a truce Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reached with Israel a year ago. Israel says it cannot consider dealing with Hamas until the group recognises its right to exist, disarms and accepts Israeli-Palestinian interim peace deals. (Additional reporting by Jonathan Saul in Jerusalem) |