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Hamas-Fatah clashes (file)
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| By israelinsider staff May 14, 2007 |
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Palestinian Interior Minister Hani Kawasmeh's resignation was accepted by PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh Monday, further weakening the young unity government, amid a new wave of infighting.
Kawasmeh, who was responsible for security forces loyal to Hamas, attempted to resign two weeks ago, in protest of Gaza's plummeting security situation, but was persuaded to remain by Haniyeh.
Kawasmeh was chosen as a compromise by the two factions -- the appointment was a solution to one of the main obstacles hindering the forming of the unity government. He was in charge of security forces but had difficulty controlling armed groups due to opposition from Fatah rivals.
Kawasmeh's resignation has cast doubt on the already struggling unity government, especially as the most violent wave of factional fighting in recent days left seven dead and 40 wounded since its outbreak Sunday.
The latest factional violence left two Fatah men dead and 10 others wounded Monday, despite an Egyptian-mediated truce brokered late Sunday night which called on both Fatah and Hamas to remove their gunmen from the streets and exchange around 20 hostages.
The latest violence occurred in Gaza City as Fatah security forces and bodyguards Fatah spokesman Maher Meqdad clashed with Hamas gunmen.
According to a report by Ynetnews, Fatah officials blamed a radical group within Hamas for trying to undermine the cease-fire, whereas Hamas accused a "Zionist group" within Fatah of igniting recent violence.
The violence Sunday erupted following the assassination of Baha Abu Jarad, the senior commander of Fatah's military wing, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades. Fatah accused Hamas of being responsible for the killing and promised revenge.
PA sources said Abu Jarad was killed, along with bodyguard Tawfik al-Bodi, by unidentified gunmen while driving through Beit Lahiya.
Abu Jarad, a long wanted terrorist by Israel who escaped assassination in 2004, was also wanted by Hamas for his hand in the assassination of senior Hamas official Majed Abu Darabiyeh. The official was shot to death in front of his wife and children last year in Gaza.
"Hamas is lying about the killing of Abu Jarad," stated Fatah spokesman Maher Miqdad. "We reject their attempt to justify the cowardly assassination of our colleague. They want their armed thugs and murderers to continue roaming the streets of the Gaza Strip, pursuing their crimes against Fatah."
"Fatah will have to respond very quickly to the massacres perpetrated by the murderers of Hamas. We call on the interior minister, Hani Kawassmeh, to submit his resignation because of his failure to enforce law and order," he continued.
Hamas denied having any hand in the assassination.
According to Ayman Taha, a senior Hamas official in Gaza, "Abu Jarad was killed as a result of an internal dispute inside Fatah. Those behind the killing are trying to drive a wedge between Fatah and Hamas. They are also trying to thwart the government's efforts to implement a security plan aimed at ending the state of lawlessness and anarchy in the Gaza Strip." |
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