Islamic Jihad blasts US over Hamas ‘terror’ designation

Palestinian resistance movement Islamic Jihad yesterday criticised the US for adding three senior Hamas leaders to its list of “global terrorists”.

“Adding [Hamas] resistance leaders on the so-called ‘terrorism list’, gives Israel the green light to pursue and assassinate them,” the movement said in a statement.

It went on to describe the move as “political blackmail and intimidation of whoever opposes US policy.”

Earlier yesterday, the US State Department formally designated the three Hamas leaders as “specially designated global terrorists”.

The list includes Mohamed Deif, a leader of the Ezzedine Al-Qassam brigades, Hamas’ armed wing.

During last year’s devastating military onslaught against the blockaded Gaza Strip, Deif’s home was specifically targeted by Israel. While Deif survived the attack, his wife and two of his sons were killed.

The two other Hamas leaders to be added to Washington’s “terrorism” list are Yahya Sinwar and Rawhi Mushtaha.

Both men have previously been imprisoned for life by Israel for carrying out resistance operations, but were later released in a 2011 prisoner swap in exchange for abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Also read: Love in the time of Gaza: The story of Mohamed Al-Deif and his late wife Widad Asfoura