Another Day, Another Ceasfire, Another Assassination Plot

A plot to assassinate Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas was discovered in time to stop it today. The industrious Hamas boys dug a tunnel under the road Abbas was supposed to travel on. Then they packed it to the top with explosives. (Isn't it interesting how these folks have all the ordnance they can use and more but live in poverty? Ever make the connection why that is?)

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP) - An alleged plot by Hamas militants to assassinate Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas was revealed on Thursday as deadly factional fighting resumed in Gaza and Israeli air strikes targeted the violence-wracked territory.

The plot was claimed hours after Abbas called off a trip to Gaza for talks aimed at reaching a definitive ceasefire between fighters from his Fatah party and Hamas that has left nearly 50 people dead and 100 wounded since Sunday.

"Abu Mazen's (Abbas's) visit to Gaza was cancelled after the discovery of a tunnel under Salaheddine Road full of explosives placed by the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades to blow up (his) convoy," said a senior security official, referring to Hamas's military wing.

"The explosives were found on the route that Abu Mazen takes to travel to Gaza," the source added, speaking from the Palestinian political capital of Ramallah in the West Bank.

An official in Abbas's office confirmed the report but Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Hamas armed wing, told AFP "these reports are aimed at poisoning the atmosphere in Gaza. We deny them completely."

Since Hamas is completely populated with congenital liars, it's a bit hard to accept their denials. Meanwhile, the West continues to flounder around to find a way to blame this all on Israel. Since Israel has responded to the continued rocket attacks from Gaza, that denunciation will not be long in arriving, I'm sure.