Posted on 09/07/2005 7:18:37 PM PDT by Flavius
By IBRAHIM BARZAK, Associated Press Writer Wed Sep 7, 3:02 PM ET
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas vowed to hunt down the killers of a powerful former security chief whose gangland-style slaying Wednesday laid bare Gaza's raging power struggles just days before Israel hands over control of the coastal territory. ADVERTISEMENT
In a brazen challenge to Abbas, a shadowy militant group claimed responsibility for killing Moussa Arafat, cousin of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, in a burst of gunfire.
Adding to the tension, the Israeli military said the vital Rafah crossing point between Gaza and Egypt would be closed Thursday until further notice as part of Israel's Gaza pullout, which could be completed as early as Monday.
About 100 masked militants stormed Moussa Arafat's heavily guarded home in an upscale Gaza City neighborhood early Wednesday, sparking a 30-minute gunbattle with dozens of his bodyguards. The assailants burst into the home, dragged out Arafat in his pajamas and gunned him down in the dusty street.
Arafat's oldest son, Manhal, a senior security commander, was kidnapped by the gunmen. Officials said negotiations, brokered by Egyptian security officials, were under way to secure his release.
The killing raised new questions about the Palestinian Authority's ability to take control of Gaza after Israel completes its pullout next week.
It occurred a block from the headquarters of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service, which failed to respond, and 400 yards from Abbas' Gaza residence, where he was spending the night.
Palestinian officials said they viewed the killing as an attack on the government. "This is a very dangerous act," said Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia.
Abbas met with top security officials, placed his forces on high alert and said he would track down the killers. "This crime does not stop his efforts to maintain law and order," said a statement issued by Abbas' office.
With his security forces severely weakened after years of fighting with Israel, Abbas faces a formidable task. Armed gangs roam freely in many parts of Gaza, and rival militant groups are engaged in a bitter power struggle with Abbas' ruling Fatah movement ahead of the Israeli pullout.
Years of corruption in Fatah's ranks during the reign of Yasser Arafat, who died last year, have further weakened Abbas' standing.
The Popular Resistance Committees, a group made up largely of disaffected Fatah members, claimed responsibility for the killing. The group said it killed Arafat, a prominent Fatah member, to punish him for alleged corruption.
"We have implemented God's law," said a spokesman, Mohammed Abdel Al, adding that Arafat "was responsible for killing, stealing and blackmail." He said his group would resist arrest or any attempt to be disarmed.
Moussa Arafat had many enemies and was the target of frequent corruption allegations. Abbas fired him as Gaza security chief several months ago, demoting him to a symbolic position of military adviser.
Israel has long called on Abbas to disarm Palestinian militant groups. Israeli officials said the killing provided a test for Abbas, and said future peace talks would depend on the Palestinian leader's ability to rein in militants.
"There is no taboo after this assassination and no one of the Palestinian leaders has immunity anymore," said Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. "It shows once again the necessity to collect the illegal weapons and to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorist organizations."
Vice Premier Shimon Peres, a longtime peace advocate, warned that if Abbas' forces cannot bring Gaza under control, "it will be very difficult to continue with the peace process."
Abbas has avoided confrontation with the militants and instead tried to co-opt them through offers of political participation and jobs in the security forces. At nightfall Wednesday, there were no indications his forces would move against the Popular Resistance Committees.
Amid the violence, Israeli officials said the Cabinet would vote Sunday to authorize the withdrawal of the final troops remaining in Gaza. Officials said the withdrawal could be complete as early as Monday — days ahead of a Sept. 15 target.
In preparation for the speeded-up timetable, the Israeli military said the Rafah crossing would be closed Thursday until further notice, just as Cabinet ministers proposed arrangements that could include foreign observers instead of Israeli officers when it is reopened.
The crossing is the only Palestinian land link from Gaza to the outside world without crossing Israel.
Israel insists on maintaining control over the flow of cargo and people in and out of Gaza for security reasons, while the Palestinians demand open access to revive Gaza's economy.
The latest Israeli proposal raises the possibility that Israel would eventually agree to free movement of Palestinians across the border under the supervision of foreign inspectors, without an Israeli presence.
However, officials said the plan would involve closing the Rafah crossing for at least six months. During that time, Israel would retain control of Gaza's access points.
The plan still needs approval by the Israeli Cabinet on Sunday, and defense officials said there would be two days of intensive negotiations with the Palestinians before that.
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