The backstage process of CBS News’ conversation with a leader of Hamas in the West Bank.
Debora Patta, a senior foreign correspondent for CBS News, recently conducted an exclusive interview with a Hamas leader and recruiter in the West Bank, which is currently under Israeli control. The interview took place four months after the group carried out a violent attack on Israel, triggering the ongoing conflict.war in Gaza. The militant
It was stated that the conflict was attracting new individuals to join Hamas.
In the West Bank, a seasoned Israeli hostage negotiator did not disagree with the fact that a key member of the designated terror organization by the U.S. and Israel was interviewed by Patta. Here is the background information on this wanted individual.
Jenin, West Bank — Our interview with the Hamas recruiter was scheduled to take place on Feb. 9 in the sprawling Jenin refugee camp — long considered a hotbed of militant activity in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Our meeting point was pre-arranged and we were informed beforehand that we would have to abandon our car and transfer to another vehicle, which was approved by the Hamas unit.
The frequency of raids in Jenin has increased, often resulting in the destruction of streets using bulldozers, making movements more challenging. Occasionally, we would encounter obstacles such as deep ditches or piles of broken concrete slabs that we could not pass through, forcing us to change our route.
Approximately 10,000 individuals reside in the compact Jenin refugee camp, characterized by its box-shaped, cement houses and short apartment complexes divided by steep, meandering pathways.
After some time, we reached a halt and were instructed to proceed on foot along a narrow path. The walls of certain houses showed signs of damage from bullets. Two Hamas fighters, armed and wearing masks, were there to guide us quickly up three flights of stairs to the rooftop of one of the homes.
The interior was gloomy and sparsely decorated, giving the appearance that it was uninhabited. When we emerged onto the rooftop and into the sunlight, we were met by another individual.
He was softly spoken and called himself Abu Abed. He told us he was a commander in Hamas’ military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, in the Jenin camp. Just 25 years old, he said he joined Hamas when he was 16 and that he’d already spent four years in Israeli jails.
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I noticed a pistol concealed in his jacket pocket, unlike the two visible bodyguards.
The pair of armed men stood next to him throughout, their hands hovering over the triggers of their rifles, prepared for any unexpected actions. One appeared jittery and would occasionally step away to look over the balcony and keep an eye on the streets below.
During the interview, Abu Abed suddenly interrupted to inquire, “Will we be finishing soon? I hear planes flying over the area.”
Their main worry was the possibility of another attack from the Israeli security forces. After about 30 minutes, our interview concluded and we were promptly escorted down the stairs and back onto the street.
Our contact was prepared to transport us back to our personal vehicle. Our disguised Hamas guards had disappeared – going down one of the numerous small streets.
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Source: cbsnews.com