Wednesday, August 6, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
GAZA CITY — The Hamas regime has warned that it could seize power from the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank any time it wishes.
Hamas officials said the Islamic regime in the Gaza Strip could rapidly topple the PA in the West Bank. They said Hamas, which captured the Gaza Strip in June 2007, has penetrated virtually every PA security agency, including the intelligence apparatus.
"The current situation in the West Bank is similar to that in the Gaza Strip before Hamas took control," Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri said. "Security forces are committing crimes in their interrogation and torture centers."
In a July 31 statement, Hamas warned that it could seize power from the Fatah movement in the West Bank. So far, Abu Zuhri said, Hamas has rejected such an option.
"We remind them [Fatah] that they planted thorns and they will harvest regret," Abu Zuhri said. In 2008, the PA assessed that Hamas was building an alternative government in the West Bank. The PA asserted that Hamas has formed a social welfare and educational network that could be expanded should Hamas seize power.
The Hamas threat was issued amid a PA crackdown on the Islamic opposition movement. Both Hamas and PA have arrested opposition members, sparked by a spate of bombings in the Gaza Strip on July 25 in which three Hamas military officers were killed.
On Aug. 1, Hamas security forces continued to arrest Fatah operatives. At least 17 Fatah members, including Gaza Gov. Mohammed Al Qudra, were arrested.
The PA said it would launch a worldwide boycott of Hamas in wake of its assault on a Fatah-aligned clan in Gaza City. About 200 members of the Hilles clan, accused of killing the three Hamas officers, fled to Israel on Aug. 2 to escape Hamas troops.
But the following day, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas ordered Hilles members to return to the Gaza Strip. At least 34 clan members reentered the Gaza Strip, where they were promptly arrested by Hamas. Other Fatah members were expected to be sent to the West Bank town of Jericho.
"After the occupation [Israel] refused to receive most of those who fled Gaza. Dozens have returned and the Palestinian police have taken them into custody," Abu Zuhri said.