TEL AVIV — The Fatah movement is recruiting thousands of Palestinians for a war against Hamas in the
Gaza Strip.
Palestinian sources said Fatah, flush with foreign funding, has recruited nearly 5,000 Palestinians
over the last month in efforts to counter Hamas's military force. The
sources said the recruitment was conducted by Palestinian security agencies
loyal to Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan as well as Fatah militias, Middle East Newsline reported.
Hamas charges that Dahlan, supported by Israel and the United
States, is directing a military campaign against the Islamic movement.
"New funding has arrived for recruitment, training and equipment," a
Palestinian source said. "I can't say exactly who gave the money, but let's
say Western friends of Dahlan."
Dahlan, the founder of the Preventive Security Apparatus, has been
regarded as the key opponent of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. A former minister,
Dahlan was said to have received millions of dollars from Britain and the
United States to fight the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority.
[On Sunday, masked gunmen fired rocket-propelled grenades toward PSA
headquarters in Khan Yunis. The agency blamed Hamas for the attack. In
response, Hamas said an operative was rescued from a PSA assassination plot
in Rafah.]
The Israeli daily Haaretz, quoting Palestinian sources, said 2,500
Palestinians volunteered for two Fatah militias in the Gaza Strip -- Al Aqsa
Martyrs' Brigades and Al Asifa. The newspaper said on Sunday that the
recruits would serve in the southern Gaza Strip.
Another 2,000 Palestinians were expected to join the PSA under the
command of Abdul Rauf Barbah, a leading officer in the agency.
PSA contains about 3,500 members and has fought Hamas militias in such
towns as Gaza City, Jabalya, Khan Yunis and Rafah.
PSA was also said to have expanded its new operational force. The
sources said that since May 1,500 recruits underwent training at PSA's base
in Tel Al Hawa north of Gaza City.
Fatah has also formed a separate force to respond to Hamas attacks in
the northern Gaza Strip. The sources said 800 Palestinians were recruited
and trained for Fatah operations.
Dahlan, who resigned from the agency in 2004, has denied any link to
PSA.
