The accord reached between Saudi King Abdullah and the Bahraini monarch Hamas bin Isa Al Khalifa for the oil island's virtual annexation by Riyadh has so incensed Tehran that armed Iranian-Saudi clashes with the potential for all-out warfare may be unavoidable, DEBKAfile's sources estimate. Dirar Abu Asisi, the Gazan Palestinian who claims to have been abducted by Israel's secret service from the Ukraine, was charged before the Beersheba district court Monday, April 4, on 15 terror-related counts, including manufacturing and upgrading the range and capabilities of thousands of Grad and Qassam rockets launched from Gaza at Israeli towns and cities in recent years as well as anti-tank missiles. As commander of the military academy run by Hamas' armed wing, he was nicknamed Dr. Rocket. After weeks of rising tension, Israel and Hamas have taken a step towards a full-blown military confrontation: Saturday, April 2, an Israeli air strike killed three senior Hamas Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades gunmen in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army spokesman said the operation pre-empted a major Palestinian terror-cum-kidnap campaign scheduled for Passover. Hamas warned Israel its "dangerous escalation" would have "consequences." DEBKAfile's sources: The coming conflict will be influenced by the changing forces rising from current Arab unrest.
Shiite-ruled Iraq would back Tehran in the first Shiite-Sunni collision to be sparked by the wave of unrest sweeping the Arab world. The annexation was first revealed by DEBKA-Net-Weekly on March 25.
DEBKAfile Special Report
DEBKAfile Exclusive Analysis
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report April 4, 2011, 2:14 PM (GMT+02:00)
Saudi tanks in Bahrain
Palestinian engineer charged with upgrading Hamas missiles
April 4, 2011, 6:09 PM (GMT+02:00)
Dirar Abu Sisi, Hamas missile expert
April 2, 2011, 10:32 AM (GMT+02:00)
Israeli airborne missile kills three senior Hamas gunmen
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