British Palestinian Journalist Abdel Bari Atwan Rebukes Hamas For Not Joining The Islamic Jihad In Fighting Against Israel: They Joined All Of Hamas's Wars

British Palestinian journalist Abdel Bari Atwan rebuked Hamas for failing to join the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in fighting Israel during the recent armed conflict on a show that aired on Mayadeen TV (Lebanon) on August 7, 2022. He said that the PIJ had joined all of Hamas's wars with Israel, including the May 2021 "Sword of Jerusalem." Atwan further said that "everybody" was expecting at least a statement of support from Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades' spokesman Abu Ubeida. He said: "The Palestinian people is asking: Where is Hamas? Where is Abu Ubeida? Where are the Al-Qassam Brigades?"

Abdel Bari Atwan: "The Islamic Jihad stood by Hamas in all its wars. When Hamas started the Sword of Jerusalem war, the Islamic Jihad stood shoulder to shoulder with Hamas, confronting the Israeli aggression and incursions in Jerusalem and its environs. This is a fact. We do not know why... How come no Hamas officials came out to tell us what happened exactly — why Hamas did not join [the fighting].

"We are talking about a resistance movement. A resistance movement must be honest with its supporters. It must be honest with the press, the media, and the social media. But all of [Hamas's] reactions have been non-existent. Everybody has been waiting for Abu Ubeida, Al-Qassam Brigades' official spokesman. They have been expecting a clarification by him, or even just a show of support for the Islamic Jihad.

"These questions are asked by many in the Palestinian public. If Hamas does not hear these questions, we are here to ask them. The Palestinian public is asking: Where is Hamas? Where is Abu Ubeida? Where are the Qassam Brigades?"