Interview with Hamas leader Khaled Meshal
"Meshal is worried, however, that the expected war on Iraq will impact heavily on the Palestinians. Sharon might be given a "free hand" against the Palestinians, and "he might carry out massacres, transfer the Palestinians or invade Gaza," he said. The Israeli army is expected to escalate its crackdowns on resistance factions, and tighten the curfew further so as to starve the Palestinians. "There is also the possibility of an impact on the PA itself -- perhaps even the expulsion of Arafat. All this is possible." But, he said, as he sat up in his chair and his voice became more assertive, "There is, however, a Palestinian will that will prevent Sharon from executing his plans. Transfer will fail because our people now are different from 1947 and 1948."

Interview with Hamas leader Khaled Meshal
"Meshal is worried, however, that the expected war on Iraq will impact heavily on the Palestinians. Sharon might be given a "free hand" against the Palestinians, and "he might carry out massacres, transfer the Palestinians or invade Gaza," he said. The Israeli army is expected to escalate its crackdowns on resistance factions, and tighten the curfew further so as to starve the Palestinians. "There is also the possibility of an impact on the PA itself -- perhaps even the expulsion of Arafat. All this is possible." But, he said, as he sat up in his chair and his voice became more assertive, "There is, however, a Palestinian will that will prevent Sharon from executing his plans. Transfer will fail because our people now are different from 1947 and 1948."