Hamas admits kidnapping 3 young Israeli men, setting off Gaza war

[Uncle Joe]

39. Or this

asked for proof that Hamas did it, the evidence provided by you and the other poster states that

the al-Qassam Brigades; which is an independent branch of Hamas claimed responsibility.

I cited evidence that Hamas and the al-Qassam Brigades are similar in structure as Sinn Féin's relationship to the military arm of the Irish Republican Army, they operate independently.

There is no evidence that the political wing of Hamas claimed responsibility, despite the headlines of your and the other poster's links.

I cited evidence that a major, formerly moderate Palestinian clan was suspected by Israeli Police as being behind the kidnappings and murders of the three Israeli teenagers.

I cited evidence that the head of this clan, a democratically elected Mayor which at one time advocated for a two state solution was deported by Israel and assassinated four years later, no one knows who killed him.

I cited evidence that four years after he was assassinated, the clan or at least major elements of it became radicalized, logic would dictate those elements back the al-Qassam Brigades' hard-line approach and the deportation/assassination of that clan's leader had a major negative effect.

I cited evidence that this clan has done its best to spoil or ruin previous attempts of the estranged parties reaching a cease fire and/or peace agreement and every time Israel gets sucked in.

I cited evidence that within the Israeli government there was major disagreement between the Israeli Defense Force Chief of Staff promoting a moderate response and a Minister of Economics in taking a hard-line, heavy fist-ed approach, logic would dictate the same dynamic occurs between the Hamas political wing wanting a unity government, allowing elections and the para-military wing of the al-Qassam Brigades.

Logic and history dictates that every time Israel retaliates in a punitive in mass way, the hard-line al-Qassam Brigades are strengthened in the long run even when many of them die, because many innocents are killed as well. Meanwhile more moderate factions in the Hamas political wing are weakened as Israel becomes more hated by the civilian populace.

If you don't wish to connect the dots or answer my questions, that's your prerogative but Hamas hasn't claimed responsibility, one senior member of the al-Qassam Brigades has.