Senior Hamas Member Reportedly Defects to Israel

[oberliner]

Websites affiliated with Fatah have reported over the past two days that a senior member of the Hamas military wing, Bassam Mahmoud Baraka, from Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, has fled to Israel, and is in possession of a great deal of information about Gaza tunnel operations.

According to the reports, Baraka, who is the son of a Muslim religious judge affiliated with Hamas, told his family that he was going on errands, and hasn't been seen by them since.

Baraka reportedly went to the border fence and gave himself up to soldiers who were waiting for him. According to the reports, he was carrying a laptop.

It was also reported that the Red Cross had informed his family in Gaza that he was in Israeli custody.

http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.725034

[still_one]

1. interesting. What is the motivation? Is this the overture to a peace process

[oberliner]

2. Unclear at this point

Perhaps he was on the outs with the Hamas leadership.

[still_one]

3. you are probably right ob. there are always power struggles going on between various factions

[King_David]

4. Recently Hsmas killed one of their own commanders

Because he was Gay.

[hack89]

5. Perhaps he soured on Hamas and constantly planning to kill civilians?

you have to believe many in Gaza are moral people.

[shira]

6. Hope his family in Gaza is safe. n/t