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| By Ynetnews January 16, 2007 |
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The Palestinian Fatah faction on Monday accused rivals Hamas of plotting to assassinate a number of its senior figures, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Gaza-strongman Mohammad Dahlan.
Abdel Hakim Awad, a Fatah spokesman in the Gaza Strip, said a network of tunnels was discovered inside Gaza -- some starting inside mosques. The tunnels were laden with explosives, he said, a new development in a violent conflict between Abbas' Fatah and the Islamic Hamas, which controls the government.
"Hamas have been lately working in a systematic and well-planned manner to complete these diggings and also stored large quantities of explosive devices in the Salah al-Din area in the Strip as well as in the Jabaliya refugee camp," Awad said.
He gave details of four tunnels, including one under a road used by Abbas and other senior officials when they enter Gaza, and another under the house of a Fatah activist.
'Uncontrollable fire'
Awad would not say how many tunnels were found. "Because of the gravity of this action, which we think represents malignant and premeditated intentions to assassinate leaders and symbols of Fatah and the authority, including President Abu Mazen...We in Fatah hold Hamas completely responsible for any such action," Awad said, referring to Abbas by his nickname. Awad said the details were delivered to a factional committee for investigation.
"We warn that any harm to any of our leaders will ignite an uncontrollable fire," he said.
Ibrahim Abu Naga, head of the committee, said the issue will be referred to an investigative team under formation. "This is a security issue," he said.
Hamas lawmaker Salah Bardawil said Awad's accusations were "provocations." Other Hamas officials said Fatah is violating an agreement to stop trading accusations and maintain calm between the two parties. The two rivals are embroiled in a bloody internal feud over government control, killing 35 people in recent weeks.
He also accused Hamas of kidnapping four Fatah activists on Sunday and of firing at the house of a party activist in Gaza.
He said Hamas is inoculating children at Islamic schools with terrorist ideology.
Awad showed exam papers which he claimed were biased for Hamas, which he accused of attempting to brainwash children as a first step towards recruiting them into its ranks.
Reprinted with permission from Ynet. |
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