Palestinian Factions engage in clashes, protests in dispute over security forces (1 Viewer)

[cherokee]

Updated: 8:51 a.m. ET April 23, 2006

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - The militant Hamas group and the rival Fatah Party agreed Sunday to work together to restore calm following violent clashes and mass protests across the Palestinian areas over their struggle for control over security forces.

But friction threatened to boil over again as neither the Hamas-controlled Cabinet nor Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ more moderate Fatah faction backed down from their conflicting demands.

Supporters of the two sides traded gunfire and hurled stones and firebombs Saturday, and Fatah leaders warned the violence could deteriorate into civil war.

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No firm agreement
In a meeting that began late Saturday and ended early Sunday, Hamas and Fatah officials agreed to take steps to end the fighting.

“The two movements have agreed to call on our Palestinian masses to stop all displays that might lead to tension,” Fatah official Maher Mekdad said, reading a joint statement. “They agreed to work together to strengthen national unity.”

But no agreement was reached on control of the security forces, participants said. Outside the meeting, which was mediated by Egyptian security officials, thousands of Fatah supporters shouted anti-Hamas slogans.


Full story
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12441442/

 

[Kelzie]

Moderator's Warning:

Moved to appropriate forum after 48 hours.

 

[Volker]

The good news is, these fights will probably end now. Samir al-Masharawi from al-Fatah and the Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniya from Hamas announced an agreement at a common press conference.

 

[GarzaUK]

The Palestinian terrotories are started implode anyway. Lack of food and medcial aid from the EU and the US until Hamas denounces violence is destroying the Palestinians. It is only a matter of time.

 

[Volker]

It is only a matter of time.

No, I think, Palestinians can handle the situation. Representatives of the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the United States agreed about financial aid for the next three months when they met in New York. This is good for the Palestinians.
This is not their only option, I guess.

 

[Tashah]

The Palestinians are under great pressure from Egypt to end the violence. Last month, Hamas paramilitary and Egyptian security forces clashed at one of the Gaza checkpoints. If the current Hamas/Fatah struggle for control of Palestinian security and police forces erupts into civil war, Egypt may elect to interceed militarily and place Gaza under martial law. In effect, Egypt would occupy Gaza until order is restored and a solution is agreed upon and implemented by both Palestinian political parties.

 

[Volker]

The Palestinians are under great pressure from Egypt to end the violence. Last month, Hamas paramilitary and Egyptian security forces clashed at one of the Gaza checkpoints. If the current Hamas/Fatah struggle for control of Palestinian security and police forces erupts into civil war, Egypt may elect to interceed militarily and place Gaza under martial law. In effect, Egypt would occupy Gaza until order is restored and a solution is agreed upon and implemented by both Palestinian political parties.

I did not know it. Egyptian soldiers in Gaza could make things more complicated, I guess, so lets hope, the struggle ends before.