Israel Matzav

Palestinian Civil War Watch: Gun battles erupt between Hamas, Fatah

Gun battles erupted today in the Gaza Strip between supporters of Hamas and the 'moderate' Fatah. Three people were killed, including a 15-year-old boy, and at least 32 were wounded when militiamen from the ruling Hamas party used guns and clubs to break up protests over unpaid government salaries near the parliament building in Gaza City and elsewhere in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas Radio accused 'moderate Palestinian President' Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen of the rival Fatah Party of stoking the unrest and dividing the 'Palestinian people'. Hamas also attacked his efforts to pressure Hamas to recognize Israel, a move that might end international sanctions that have rendered the government ostensibly unable to pay salaries.

Abu Mazen ordered the 'Palestinian police' not to take part in demonstrations.

"We are going to beat with iron fists all those elements who are trying to sabotage the election process of our people, those who are trying to destroy our public properties and close the streets," said Islam Shawhan, a spokesman for the militia. "We are not going to hesitate to take action against any of them."

Just give them a state reichlet. That will solve all the world's problems....

/sarcasm

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:03 PM