He and his cohorts belong to the Popular Resistance Committee. Formed in the name of Gazan self-defense shortly after the latest intifada began 21 months ago, the committee is an umbrella group of armed Palestinian factions, modeled on the Hizbullah guerrilla movement of southern Lebanon. The committee’s attacks have killed or injured dozens of Jewish settlers and soldiers in the Gaza Strip since late in 2000. Earlier this year the group blew up two Israeli tanks, killing a total of six Israeli soldiers. Now its members are bracing for more action. Last week the Israeli government responded to a pair of suicide bombings in Jerusalem by launching airstrikes against suspected illicit explosives factories and other targets in Gaza. The raids injured 13 Palestinians, two of them seriously.
Members of the committee say such strikes have only strengthened their determination. “We are ready for a just peace, but Ariel Sharon gives us nothing to hope for,” says Abu Moussa, a 32-year-old doctor. “He is an implacable enemy.” The Jabalia chapter’s members include students, physicians and engineers between 17 and 40 years old. Munthaser says at least 25 Popular Resistance fighters have been killed since the intifada began.
Until now, though, most Israeli raids have focused on targets in the West Bank rather than Gaza. The Strip is so tiny that Israel has enclosed it with 30 miles or so of security fence, effectively blocking any terror attacks. Even so, Israel briefly considered invading the area in May. “We were ready for them,” says a fighter who calls himself Abu Mohammed. “Each group had a task–bombs, mines, snipers. We put the women at the gates of Jabalia with suicide belts, ready to explode themselves.” The invasion was canceled at the last minute. “We were disappointed,” the Palestinian says. “We wanted revenge. We wanted them to pay for the price for what we saw in Jenin.” Gazans may yet have their chance–or a Jenin of their own.
