Posted on 10/02/2005 5:25:03 PM PDT by Valin
Palestinian police have fought a series of gun battles with militants in Gaza City, killing a police officer and two civilians, and wounding 50 others. The clashes are part of a power struggle between the militant group Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Palestinian police and Hamas militants fought gun battles in Gaza City. The fighting erupted after police tried to arrest the son of Abdel Aziz Rantisi, the late Hamas leader who was assassinated by Israel last year.
Witnesses say police stopped Mohammed Rantisi's car, but he refused to hand himself over. Police began shooting when they were surrounded by an angry crowd, sparking a firefight. Then, Hamas militants armed with rifles, rocket propelled grenades and hand grenades stormed several police stations. The clashes point to a growing power struggle between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas since Israel pulled out of Gaza three weeks ago. So far, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has had little success in his efforts to restore law and order.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat accuses Hamas of acting like a "parallel authority." He told VOA: "Seeking revenge or violence will only add to the complexities and will harm Palestinian interests," Mr. Erekat says.
The Palestinian Authority is under pressure from Israel to disarm militant groups, as demanded by the internationally-backed "road map" peace plan. "We expect the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian leadership now to deal effectively with the terrorists," Israeli spokesman Mark Regev says.
Since Gaza is seen as a test case for Palestinian statehood, Mr. Abbas is anxious to show the world that he can restore the rule of law. But for now, the well-armed militants of Hamas rule the streets.
ping
Let's you and him fight!
Ah, I love it when a plan comes together.
The good bunch needs to kill the bad bunch off!
Looks like it is time for the PA to start calling IAF to give them the coordiantes where to come in and drop ordnance. Sort of start working together to remove as many Hamas as$holes as possible within the Gaza borders. As a thanks, PA can provide unit strengths of known Al Qaeda and where they are assembling. The Gaza pullout could be a good solution for both sides.
Which is which?
"3 Dead" Not good enough. Please try harder.
Which side does your tax dollars fund?
It's nice to see some decency on their parts, keeping it all in the family. It made me want to go out and buy popcorn, sit down with the missus, and watch away, like a good Lifetime movie (guilty pleasure, I know).
This will all only get worse, and explode into open major civil war.
Agree. Gaza is off my vacation list.
OTOH (and assuming it doesn't spill over) you have to hit bottom before you can come back up.
It wouldn't suprise me if sometime in the next year(?) Egypt & Israel don't make a secret agreement to divide Gaza between them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.