GAZA CITY — Hamas intends to seize control of
Palestinian Authority television, by force if necessary.
Palestinian sources said Hamas plans to end Fatah dominance over PA
television in a move that could paralyze the electronic media loyal to PA
Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. The sources said Hamas has threatened to destroy PA
television facilities unless Abbas cedes control to the new Hamas-led
government.
"In a few days, either the government assumes operations of PA
television or radio or these stations will not exist," a Palestinian source
said.
[On Tuesday, Hamas forces fired a rocket-propelled grenade toward the
headquarters of PA Preventive Security Apparatus in Gaza City, Middle East Newsline reported. At least
three PSA officers were said to have been injured.]
On Monday, Hamas gunmen stormed PA television facilities in Khan Yunis.
The Hamas fighters smashed computers and fired into monitors and other
broadcast equipment. Two PA employees who sought to resist were beaten.
The attack did not halt television broadcasts. But PA television said it
would suspend programs for 30 minutes to protest the attack.
Hamas, which won legislative elections in January, has succeeded in
controlling most of the PA departments. The exception has been several key
security agencies and the Palestine Broadcasting Corp. At the same time,
Hamas has been examining the prospect of forming a satellite television
channel similar to Hizbullah's Al Manar.
Fatah and Hamas have been conducting daily attacks in the war over the
Gaza Strip. On Monday, a senior Hamas operative, identified as Ahmed Sari
was killed when a bomb ripped through his home in the Jabalya refugee camp
north of Gaza City.
"We're going to solve this problem through bullets or ballots," Saeb
Erekat, an aide of Abbas, said.
Hours later, an Israel Air Force aircraft fired a missile that destroyed
a vehicle east of Jabalya. An Israeli military statement said the vehicle
contained a senior operative of the Popular Resistance Committees involved
in two bombing attempts as well as missile fire toward Israel. The
operative, identified as Majid Hamad, was also said to be an officer in the
PA Preventive Security Apparatus.
On Tuesday, Palestinian gunners fired seven Kassam-class missiles toward
the Israeli city of Sderot. One missile slammed into a house. An Israeli was
said to have been lightly injured.
