WITHOUT IDF IN WEST BANK, HAMAS WOULD TAKE OVER IN DAYS

IDF: Without Presence in West Bank, Hamas Would Take Over in Days
"Without the massive IDF presence in the West Bank, Hamas would take over the institutions and apparatuses of the Palestinian Authority within days," Head of Central Command Maj.-Gen. Gadi Shamni told President Shimon Peres Tuesday. Shamni said Hamas was engaged in a constant effort to increase its influence "and its presence is felt in hospitals, preschools, schools, universities and mosques." Shamni said the PA was making an effort to keep public order but was not seriously working to stop terrorists operating in the West Bank. Peres was shown a Kassam rocket and launcher captured in Nablus in the West Bank. (Jerusalem Post)