RAMALLAH — Hamas and Fatah have begun their standoff amid plans for
the Islamic takeover of the Palestinian Authority.
PA officials reported increasing friction between Hamas and Fatah
supporters in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They said the friction stemmed
from Hamas plans to take over the PA government as well as municipalities
over the next few weeks.
Officials said they expect tensions between Fatah and Hamas to increase
over the next few days as the Islamic movement seeks access to and control
of the PA, Middle East Newsline reported. They said PA police could join Fatah in any clashes, particularly
in the West Bank.
Hamas has come under pressure from supporters, particularly in the Gaza
Strip, to take over PA security forces. Officials said Hamas supporters have
begun demanding jobs in the PA, particularly in the police.
Fatah has been split over whether to cede power to Hamas, officials
said. They said PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who announced he would not
resign, has urged Fatah leaders to transfer power to Hamas.
"There are more than a few senior Fatah figures who want a fight with
Hamas," a PA official said. "I mean a military coup as took place in Algeria
in
1992."
Fatah has decided that it would not join any Hamas-led Palestinian
government. But the movement has not announced whether it would give up
control of PA finances and security services. The PA has 63,000 registered
security officers and 10,000 additional operatives who receive salaries.
On Thursday, Hamas and Fatah supporters fought for control of the PLC
building in Ramallah. Hundreds of Hamas supporters smashed windows of the
PLC and planted the movement's flag on the building.
Hamas and Fatah supporters also threw stones toward each other. PA
police, most of whom are Fatah supporters, did not intervene.
The Central Election Commission said Hamas won 76 of the 132-seat PLC,
with Fatah gaining 43 seats. Palestinian sources said at least 16 staffers
in Abbas's office voted for Hamas.
The Hamas victory has sparked renewed Palestinian attacks against
Israel. On Friday, Palestinian gunners fired a mortar toward an Israeli
military base at the edge of the Gaza Strip.
Earlier, a Palestinian missile fired from the Gaza Strip landed inside
Israel. In both cases, no injuries were reported.
