Israel Matzav

Another day, another 'cease fire' hudna

Another 'Palestinian' hudna that was agreed to last night between Fatah and Hamas crumbled during the night. Two Fatah activists operatives terrorists have been killed by Hamas gunmen terrorists and eight 'Palestinians' have been wounded in two incidents in the Gaza Strip. The incidents 'broke out' some two hours after the hudna went into effect. I guess they managed to regroup pretty quickly.

The two men terrorists who were killed were shot during a firefight with Hamas operatives terrorists in the Sabara neighborhood, and included the bodyguard of Samir Masharawi, a senior Fatah leader in the Gaza Strip. Sababa!

The eight 'police officers' were wounded in a shootout in Jabalya, also in the Gaza Strip.

But here's the best part. The Jerusalem Post reports that 'moderate' 'Palestinian Prime Minister' Ismail Haniyeh addressed the 'nation' last night:

In a televised speech, Haniyeh accused Abbas and his Fatah party of trying to stage a coup against the Hamas-led government.

"This nation, this people will be united in front of the occupation and aggression and will not be engaged, despite the wounds of the past few days, in internal fighting," Haniyeh said.

Addressing Fatah, he added: "We are not enemies. We have political differences, but we should not sink in the Israeli- American quagmire. We continue to support the establishment of a national unity government."

Haniyeh complained that his government was facing "collective punishment" since it came to power. Referring to allegations that he tried to smuggle millions of dollars into the Gaza Strip last week, Haniyeh said: "I was carrying less than $32m. To pay the salaries of civil servants on the eve of [the Muslim feast] of Eid al-Adha. However, the money did not come into the Gaza Strip. We brought money to feed the people. This is not called smuggling."

Haniyeh also repeated his opposition to Abbas's plan to call early elections. "I want to clarify that we consider the issue of the early elections for the presidency and parliament unconstitutional," he said. "If you consider the people the source of power, why are you working against the will of the people?"

Haniyeh also reiterated a call for a long-term hudna [truce] with Israel and the establishment of a temporary Palestinian state alongside Israel. He said the truce could last as long as 20 years. [And then what? Back to the destruction of the State of Israel, unless they abrogate the hudna earlier? Better get Olmert out of office before he can agree to this. CiJ]

Haaretz says that Haniyeh also added

"There is an undeclared decision to bring down the government... and the Americans are leading this effort."

Let's hear it for Great Satan!

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:05 AM