GAZA CITY — The Fatah-Hamas militia war continues to escalate.
Palestinian sources said Hamas forces fired mortars toward the residence
of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. They said at least six
people were injured. Abbas was not in the Gaza Strip.
On early Monday, Fatah and Hamas, pressed by Egypt, were said to have
agreed to a ceasefire, Middle East Newsline reported. The ceasefire was shattered by a shootout near
Abbas's residence.
Four of the six injured were members of the Presidential Guards. The
United States has been investing tens of millions of dollars to expand and
improve the force, loyal to Abbas.
"The militia war has moved to the stage where the leaders of the rival
movements are the key targets," a PA security source said.
Fatah gunmen have been targeting Hamas leaders. On Sunday, Fatah gunmen
fired toward the convoy of PA Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar, regarded as
the No. 2 figure in Hamas in the Gaza Strip. A bodyguard of Zahar was said
to have been slightly injured.
"What is happening is a real military coup, assassinations, attempted
assassinations, the occupation of headquarters and ministries," Zahar said.
"There is a certain calm, although there is not a total ceasefire,"
Sufian Abu Zaideh, a senior Fatah operative in the Gaza Strip, said.
Hamas has been attacking PA security commanders. One target was Adnan
Rahami, a commander in the National Security Forces, abducted and killed in
Gaza City. Rahami is a member of a major clan in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas gunmen also fired toward the house of Mohammed Dahlan, the de
facto Fatah security chief in the Gaza Strip. Itmortar shells,
attacked a training base of the Presidentialng.
Earlier, Hamas, employing rocket-propelled grenades and mortar shells,
attacked a training base of the Presidential Guards south of Gaza City on
overnight Sunday. A guard was killed and three others were injured in the
10-minute battle.
For its part, the Presidential Guards seized two PA ministries
controlled by Hamas members. The Agriculture Ministry and Transportation
Ministry are located near Abbas's residence.
Interior Minister Said Siyam has ordered the Preventive Security
Apparatus to arrest a leading Fatah fighter. Ministry spokesman Khalid Abu
Hillal said Siyam ordered PSA director Rashid Abu Shbak to detain Jon
Muslih, a leader of Fatah's military wing, Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. Muslih
was said to have threatened the prime minister, foreign minister and
interior minister, all Hamas members.
