From the DebkaFile:

Hamas, now refusing to disarm after Israel’s pullout, outnumbers Palestinian security forces three to one in Gaza

August 12, 2005, 2:26 PM (GMT+02:00)

Hamas leaders step up their challenge to Israel and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas’ effort to assert control over Gaza after Israel’s withdrawal next week. Friday, Aug. 12, the head of Hamas’ Qassam Brigades, Ahmed al-Ghandour, declared they would keep their guns to continue the fight against the Jewish state.

DEBKA-Net-Weekly reported earlier: Hamas gained the upper hand in recent clashes with Palestinian Authority security forces in the Gaza Strip, exhibiting numerical superiority (3:1) and, for the first time, the features of a guerrilla force.

Qassam and mortar launchers mounted on vehicles painted in army camouflage colors showed up in the streets. Moreover, some 3,000 of the 10,000 enlisted Hamas fighters belonging to a newly-formed Popular Army unit were held in reserve. Our military sources reveal that these conscripts are given three to four weeks of basic military training and sent home with their side-arms and a call-up code. This code broadcast over the public address systems of their mosques is the signal for them to report to their regional commanders. The Palestinian Authority has no such force at its disposal.

The Hamas spokesman therefore had enough muscle behind him to announce Hamas would not join Palestinian security agencies but preserve its independence and structure and increase its force.

Al-Ghandour also reiterated the group’s goal which was to draw the Islamic state of Palestine “from the sea to the river and from Lebanon to Egypt.”

Question of the day: Is anyone surprised?