On June 9, Abbas's convoy was again threatened by a suspected
Palestinian attacker. Officials said a Palestinian motorist tried to ram
into a vehicle that contained Abbas's top aide, Tayeb Abdul Rahim.
"A motorist tried to overtake the convoy of Mr. Tayyeb Abdul Rahim,
raising the suspicions of his bodyguards who shot at him," PA police
spokesman Brig. Gen. Adnan Damiri said.
Abdul Rahim has been PA secretary-general and a leading aide to Abbas.
Damiri said the suspected attacker was shot and seriously injured in
Ramallah.
"It is still under investigation," Damiri said.
Security sources said the Palestinian attacker was believed to have
mistaken Abdul Rahim's vehicle for Abbas. They said both men travel in a
black Mercedes Benz with official plates.
Abbas has not left Ramallah amid the PA crackdown on Hamas's military
wing, which began on May 30. At least four Hamas operatives have been killed
in two shootouts with PA security forces in the West Bank city of Kalkilya.
Hamas has called for revenge.