Hamas forms secret alternative leadership to avoid Israeli spies

In a new step to avoid Israeli attacks against its high-ranking members, Hamas has formed an alternative political leadership, which will not be disclosed to the public, sources told Gulf News.

Hamas sources said spokespersons for the group will appear very soon, while the current leadership of the group will stay in their hideouts, and a secret leadership will undertake the group's activities and missions in hiding to avoid detection by Israeli intelligence.

The group has delayed its response for the killing of one of its leaders, Ismael Abu Shanab, for tactical reasons, but not as a part of a wider strategy.

The sources said there was concern within the group that any military response would lead to the exile of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and "Hamas doesn't want to have a black historical record that it was the main reason for Arafat's expulsion".