11-Aug-11: Incoming rocket... and the back story

Abu Sisi before confessing

Ynet reported around 8.30 this evening (Thursday) that yet another Qassam rocket, fired from the Gaza Strip crashed into southern Israel and exploded near a kibbutz in the Shaar HaNegev region. So far, there are no reports of injuries or damage in the attack. By our calculations, there have been some 30 to 35 missile attacks on southern Israel by the Gazan terrorists in the 6 weeks since 1st July. 

Interesting to see that Dirar Abu Sisi, the Palestinian Arab engineer described previously by the BBC as merely the manager at Gaza's main power plant, as a victim of a heinous Israeli kidnap "for no reason", as a man free of any links with Hamas, as a totally blameless and innocent figure, has dropped the pretense.

A court-imposed gag order was lifted today by the Beersheba Magistrate's Court, and he is quoted directly singing an entirely different song:

"I greatly regret my affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas Movement, my work to develop the missile range, my part in establishing Hamas' military academy, and all the information I handed over to Hamas that can threaten the security of Israel and its citizens... I know the missiles are lethal and take the lives of others, without distinguishing between Arabs and Jews."

As Israeli authorities have been saying for months, this Abu Sisi is a major cog in the Hamas terror machine. He is on trial for membership in a terror organization, murder, attempted murder and arms production. AFP quotes some of the revelations that emerged today about the man:

• Confessed that he was involved in "developing the range of missiles" and "setting up the Hamas military academy", and to "helping strengthen Hamas forces decimated by Israel's Operation Cast Lead between December 2009 and January 2010" after "a large number" of Hamas fighters fled their positions during the fighting.
• Took part in rocket trials in the central Gaza Strip
• Helped improve the performance of Gaza-made rockets
• Was responsible for "increasing their range and ability to pierce steel so as to penetrate IDF armoured vehicles and thus harm soldiers" - and evidently penetrating the sides of unarmoured school buses too.

To which the Jerusalem Post adds: He was appointed by Hamas military commander Ahmed Jabari to set up a Hamas military academy after the dismal failure of its fighters in 2008-9. Quote: "I prepared the management side of things for the new military academy". But they're a fickle crowd. He received death threats from senior Hamas officials when he expressed a desire to leave the organization.

Good to know he is safe and sound and in a place where he is likely to be well looked after for a long time to come.