RAMALLAH — Fatah and Hamas have been engaged in a quiet war in the
northern West Bank.
Palestinian sources said Fatah and Hamas were battling for control over
towns and neighborhoods in the northern West Bank. They said the war has
largely been centered in Nablus, regarded as the economic capital of the
Palestinian Authority.
"Fatah is much stronger than Hamas, but Hamas has been building its
forces and enjoys plenty of support from the people," a Palestinian security
source said.
Israel has been helping Fatah against Hamas, the Palestinian sources
said. On Jan. 11, Israeli
security forces arrested the Hamas commander in Jenin, identified as Haled
Mahmud Amin Al Haj. Israeli security sources said Al Haj, commander of the
Jenin area since early 2006, was responsible for Hamas operations as well as
coordination with the movement in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Syria.
"Al Haj played a key role in the formation of the Executive Force of
Hamas in the Jenin area," an Israeli security source said. "Al Haj
reestablished the Hamas headquarters in Jenin as a senior and central
command."
Fatah commanders have been searching for Hamas strongholds in Nablus.
The militia has targeted Hamas politicians and abducted a City Council
member, Fayad Al Aghbar, aligned with Hamas.
The abduction took place on Jan. 28 after two carloads of masked Hamas
gunmen fired in the air outside the Arab Islamic Bank in Nablus. Later Al
Aghbar was abducted.
The Fatah effort has been led by Ibrahim Sahli, regarded as commander of
the militia in Nablus. Sahli has ordered operatives to attack Hamas
politicians and other operatives in an effort to flush out the movement's
underground network.
In December 2006, Fatah gunmen fired toward a Hamas rally in Nablus.
About 25 Hamas gunmen returned fire and a civilian was killed.
PA security sources said Hamas has been recruiting and training gunmen
in Nablus. They said Hamas has been purchasing a large amount of weapons in
a move that sharply raised prices.
Salhi asserted that Fatah, with 200 operatives in the Nablus area, has
been shooting arms dealers suspected of supplying Hamas forces. He said at
least 12 such dealers were punished over the last few months.
For his part, Hamas's Al Aghbar, a mosque preacher, appeared to confirm
the assertions of Fatah. He said Hamas has concealed much of its firepower.
"Hamas has enough strength to respond [to Fatah attacks], and if it
does, it will respond strongly," Al Aghbar said.
