(Reuters) Nidal al-Mughrabi - Islamic Jihad sees scant benefit from a truce and stands to raise its profile among Palestinians by stepping up attacks, analysts said. With a small popular following and no big stake in possible peacemaking, upcoming Palestinian elections, or Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza, Islamic Jihad set itself apart early on with a Feb. 25 suicide bombing in Tel Aviv that killed five Israelis. The big danger is that escalating violence could quickly draw in other factions as well. "I believe calm is nearing an end. It is at a crossroads and a Palestinian position declaring an end to calm could be made at any moment," said Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri.
2005-06-23 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive