Fatah and Hamas renew violent face-off

Hamas and Fatah forces engaged in armed clashes again on Monday as an explosive device was detonated in the northern Gaza strip, next to the residence of a Fatah operative, though no one was injured, Israel Radio reported.

Clashes were renewed on Sunday, when Hamas activists shot a Palestinian Preventative Security Service officer in Gaza, and a Hamas operative was shot and seriously wounded by Fatah operatives.

Threats against Palestinian reporters and editors have also intensified over the past few weeks, prompting some of them to keep a low profile or to go underground.

The threats coincide with growing tension between the two rival groups and armed clashes in the Gaza Strip over the past week. Earlier this month, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said seven Fatah-affiliated journalists in the Gaza Strip had received threats by e-mail, phone or fax - made in Hamas's name - to harm or kill them for their coverage. Some of the journalists told The Jerusalem Post that they were taking the latest threats very seriously and called on the Palestinian Authority security forces to protect them.

"We have been receiving death threats almost every day over the past month," one reporter in Gaza City said. "The threats are coming from both Hamas and Fatah." Most of the journalists who were targeted were accused of biased reporting on the Hamas-Fatah confrontation.

Others said they received threats from various branches of the PA security forces.

On Thursday night, PA security officers beat Bassam Abdullah, a cameraman working for Palestine TV. The attack took place as Abdullah and other reporters tried to cover clashes between PA policemen and militiamen who sabotaged dozens of greenhouses in the former settlement of Morag in the southern Gaza Strip.

During the confrontation, PA policemen prevented local reporters and cameramen from entering the area, accusing them of "inciting" against the PA, one of the reporters said. "They apparently did not want the world to see that the gunmen had destroyed some of the greenhouses," he added.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate issued a statement strongly condemning the attack on the cameraman and called on the PA to launch an investigation. "We urge all our colleagues to contact Abdullah to express solidarity with him," the statement said. "We also urge the Palestinian Ministry of Information to assume its responsibilities and to defend the freedom of the media."

Last month Gaza-based journalists declared a one-day strike to protest against similar assaults on their colleagues outside the office of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. The journalists complained that policemen stationed outside Haniyeh's office beat them when they arrived to cover a meeting.

On Sunday the Gaza-based electronic magazine Donia al-Watan said it had received threats from a group affiliated with Hamas. Earlier this year unidentified gunmen went on a rampage inside the offices of the Fatah-affiliated magazine.

"Soon we will destroy your Web site," said a message sent to the magazine by a group calling itself "Hamas's Anti-Terror Unit.""We have warned you in the past about publishing lies on your trivial site. We will strike with an iron fist against anyone who defames our warriors."

The threat is apparently linked to a number of anti-Hamas stories and articles published by Donia al-Watan in recent weeks. The magazine has also received similar threats from Fatah groups in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas officials denied that their movement was behind the threats, saying they did not rule out the possibility that Fatah elements were trying to drive a wedge between Hamas and Palestinian journalists.

Aziz Dweik, speaker of the Hamas-dominated Palestinian Legislative Council, sent a letter to Haniyeh, asking him to launch an investigation into the threats against the magazine. "We urge you to preserve the freedom of the media, which is sacred for us," he wrote.

OK, that's good as fara as it goes, but this is not all. See here:

Islamic Jihad Targets Abu Mazen

While PA leader Abbas is talking in Russia about peace arrangements with Israel, his Fatah gunmen are warring with Hamas terrorists, the Islamic Jihad terror organization is planning to kill him.

Israel intelligence reports indicate that Islamic Jihad is planning to assassinate Mahmoud Abbas, the chairman of the Palestinian Authority and the leader of Fatah, and that PA security has been increased in response to the alert.

Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, has been the target of several assassination plans by different terror groups since he took over as PA Chairman after the death of Yasser Arafat. Several weeks ago, security forces found a 20-meter tunnel dug under Abbas’ home in Gaza. Hamas denied involvement in the incident.

While his Fatah faction militants are engaged in battles with their counterparts from Hamas, Abbas is on a diplomatic visit in Russia. He was set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss the international economic boycott of the PA, as well as the possibility of resuming peace talks with Israel.

The agenda between the two leaders focused on the humanitarian crisis gripping the PA as a result of funding cuts to the Hamas Authority by Western nations. Russia, however, has continued to transfer funds to the Palestinian Authority, maintaining it would be a mistake to cut funds entirely. Some $10 million in emergency aid was sent directly to Abbas’ office last week, bypassing the Hamas-led government.

Abbas was also expected to also raise the issue of peace negotiations with Israel, a matter he underscored in his “Nakba Day” speech to PA Arabs today. “Nakba Day” is the PA Arabs’ "Day of Catastrophe" marking the anniversary of Israel’s creation.

“I tell our neighbors, the Israelis, that we want to make a just and lasting peace with you, and we want a better future for our children and yours," Abbas said. "So come to make this year a year of peace." Israel feels it cannot negotiate with Abbas while Hamas controls the PA, nor with Hamas while it calls for Israel's destruction.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert refuses to talk peace with Abbas, insisting that such negotiations are useless unless the PA leadership – Hamas – is actively involved in the process and in agreement with the need for peace.

Abu Mazen also spoke of his dream of seeing "the creation of an independent free and democratic state with Arab East Jerusalem as its capital."

Abbas appealed to PA Arab terrorists to stop their Kassam rocket attacks on southern Israel, saying such attacks would only solidify Olmert’s resolve to activate his unilateral withdrawal plan by the end of 2006. He counter-warned Israel that its unilateral approach to the situation would fuel Arab extremism.

A copy of the speech was obtained by Associated Press prior to its broadcast on PA TV and radio.

But while Abbas tells Israel “we extend our hand to you to make peace,” Fatah terrorists are locked in an internal war with Hamas, with both groups fighting for control of the PA. Despite calls last week for a ceasefire by both Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the PA prime minister, gunmen on both sides have continued to escalate the clashes.

On Sunday Hamas fighters shot a Fatah member of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service, a force under Abbas’ control. Hours later, a Hamas terrorist was shot and seriously wounded by Fatah fighters. On Monday, an explosive device was set off next to the home of a Fatah member in northern Gaza. No injuries were reported, however.

As a condition for talks with Israel, the Quartet and Israel have demanded that Hamas formally recognize Israel’s right to exist, disarm and renounce violence, and uphold peace agreements signed by the previous government.

Hamas has categorically refused to meet the demands, despite the consequences of such for the residents of the PA. Until it recognizes Israel, Western nations have refused to send money to fund government salaries and other necessities. The impact on the populace has been dramatic and disastrous. Arab nations, for their part, have pledged support, but have sent little if any money to back up their promises.

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So we have Hamas vs Fatah, Fatah vs Islamic Jihad, and Islamic JIhad vs ? or maybe IJ is so decimated at the moment due to recent Israeli actions that they will only be able to take up one fight at a time.

PING!

You didn't miss this, did you?

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On Thursday night, PA security officers beat Bassam Abdullah, a cameraman working for Palestine TV. The attack took place as Abdullah and other reporters tried to cover clashes between PA policemen and militiamen who sabotaged dozens of greenhouses in the former settlement of Morag in the southern Gaza Strip.

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New sport among the Palis - destroying green houses give to them for free. And they expect more aid.....??!!!! And the West is giving them more aid!!!! Truely I wonder who is the most stupid, your average Pali hood or the median EU or State diplomat?

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