GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Palestinian militant group Hamas will use proceeds from a fund-raising drive among Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to continue attacks on Israel rather than invest in the group’s network of social welfare organizations, Hamas officials have said.
But beyond bolstering Hamas’ 31/2-year campaign of suicide bombings, the unprecedented donor campaign among impoverished Gazans last Friday was the latest evidence of the organization’s increased prominence in the Gaza Strip.
“It was a sort of referendum which showed that the Palestinian people are both supporting the choice of resistance and supporting Hamas,” said Said Siam, a Hamas political spokesman. “This money is the sole responsibility of the military section.”
Just weeks after Israel assassinated Hamas spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the militant group is negotiating a first-time power-sharing arrangement in the Gaza Strip with Yasser Arafat’s Fatah party.
The donor drive will give Hamas added leverage in the talks, analysts said. The growing prominence of Hamas comes as Israel prepares to withdraw from most of its settlements and bases in the Gaza Strip in the next year.
Palestinians lined up outside of Gaza mosques Friday to hand over money and jewelry. Contributions ranged from hundreds of dollars to 22 cents, the value of one Israeli shekel.
The Associated Press reported that Hamas raised $3 million in the one-day campaign, but a fund-raising official from Gaza’s Jabaliya refugee camp said the figure was half as much. Though many Gazans expressed hope that the money would go to Hamas’ orphanages and schools, the Jabaliya fund-raiser — who called himself Abu Jankal — said the funds would go to Hamas’ military wing.
The money will provide a measure of financial relief for Hamas after Israeli forces in March seized up to $9 million from Ramallah banks that Israel said was being channeled to Palestinian militants.
But observers said Hamas isn’t strapped for cash because enough money is flowing from fund-raising arms located outside of the Palestinian territories. Instead, the organization wants to establish credibility as a political force on a par with Fatah, which dominates the government.
“Since the Yassin assassination, Hamas is keen on showing that it has a great presence among the people. In launching this campaign, it is trying to show it is the number one power,” said Hassem El Kashef, a Palestinian analyst. “Before Hamas wanted to show its military strength. Now it wants to show its popular strength.”
The campaign got a boost from the presence of Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi and Hamas fighters who have gone underground to hide from an assassination campaign by the Israeli army.
“I will give them anything I own,” said Muna Abu Hein, 30, whose husband was a Hamas militant killed by Israeli soldiers last year.
While declining to reveal how much she contributed to the fund drive, she added, “I have four sons and two daughters and as soon as they are old enough to performs acts of resistance I will give them up, too.”
Hamas’ green banners line the main roads of Gaza City while small posters of slain Sheik Yassin outnumber pictures of Mr. Arafat in public places in Gaza. The Islamic group is considered by many Palestinians to be on the front line of the uprising against Israel. In contrast, Palestinian Authority security forces seem passive in the eyes of Palestinians.
In addition to the call to prayers, loudspeakers at a Hamas mosque in Gaza City bring news of the donor money at work. Just a few days after the campaign, Hamas joined other militant groups to launch a raid on an Israeli settlement in Gaza. Though the attack was thwarted and two Palestinians were killed, the symbolism of resistance at all costs resonates on the streets of Gaza.
“We support anybody that uses their own body against the occupation,” said Mohammed Akila, who runs a roadside stand.
“Their money has been frozen. If the Palestinian people don’t support Hamas, who will?”
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