Hamas is in the process of announcing the foiling of a large-scale plot aimed at carrying out several bombings in the Gaza Strip through the exploitation of people with “deviant beliefs,” well-informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.
According to the sources, the main accusation about the recent Gaza bombings may be formally directed at “elements of the Palestinian intelligence, who exploited these [persons].”
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum sparked controversy after he accused the Palestinian intelligence service of Tuesday’s bombings.
In a tweet, Barhoum said that the Palestinian Authority’s intelligence service was behind attempts to provoke chaos in Gaza, “in favor of the Zionist Shin Bet and the occupation.”
Barhoum’s accusations came hours after suicide bombers blew up two security checkpoints in the Gaza Strip, killing three Hamas policemen.
Fatah immediately responded by accusing Hamas of sponsoring “takfiri” organizations and adopting their approach.
But the movement that rules the Gaza Strip plans to announce the foiling of a broad criminal scheme, which included more bombings, and will accuse the intelligence of being behind it.
The sources said that the arrests carried out by Hamas following the bombings focused on members of the "Al-Quds Brigades" of the Islamic Jihad, who were previously detained by the movement.
Islamic Jihad did not comment on successive reports of its connection to the explosions.
According to the sources, the faction lifted the cover of all those who will be found involved in the bombings or within the scheme to stir chaos in the coastal enclave.
