Hamas Posts Wanted Posters for Islamic State ‘Fugitives’

Hamas has severely punished a number of individuals suspected of jihadist activity as part of a wider crackdown by Hamas authorities against jihadists in the Gaza Strip.

As part of its crackdown, Hamas has started taking unprecedented steps. It has begun posting pictures of jihadists (see above) wanted by the security forces in the streets and public spaces. The photos have been posted with the headline “Fugitives.”

Until now, those accused of participating in jihadist activity could expect a sentence of anywhere from a few months to two years in prison. But this week, Hamas military courts sentenced suspects to four years behind bars, the longest such sentences yet.

A senior jihadist source in Gaza tied to Islamic State ideology told Breitbart Jerusalem that nine of the suspects have been sentenced to four years in prison. The source added that some 150 jihadists are being tried in Hamas military courts and Hamas investigators are threatening the suspects with long sentences.

The jihadists in question are suspected of participating in activity supporting IS. The jihadist source noted that Hamas is continuing its crackdown on members and supporters of IS as part of its push to improve relations with Egypt, and that the last sentences come after the return of a Hamas delegation last week from another visit to Egypt.

Meanwhile, wanted posters for IS fugitives were released by Hamas’ public security services. The posters state, “These are suspected fugitives who have harmed social security.”

The services also used social media to distribute photos of some of the suspects. Pictures of four of the wanted individuals were distributed, and the security services explained that this was done “according to the orders of the military prosecutor.”

The service warned in its statement that the law forbids giving any aid or asylum to the “fugitives.” The public security service identified the four as Nour Issa from the refugee camp of Bureij in the center of the Gaza Strip; Talaat Abou Jazar, from the area of Khan Younis in the southern Strip; Mahmoud Taleb, from the refugee camp of al-Shati in western Gaza City; and Muhamad Meqdad, also from al-Shati.