Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Hamas Offers Amnesty to Fatah Leaders
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- On its first day of full rule in Gaza, the Islamic militant Hamas on Friday granted amnesty to Fatah leaders, signaling that it seeks conciliation with the defeated forces of moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Many had feared more bloodshed, particularly after victorious Hamas gunmen executed several Fatah fighters in the streets gangland-style on Thursday, in the final phase of the decisive five-day battle over Gaza.
Gazans awoke to the new reality of Hamas control Friday, fraught with uncertainty and fear that they'll become even poorer and more isolated. Gaza's crossings with Egypt and Israel _ lifelines for the fenced-in territory _ have been closed this week, and it was not clear if they would reopen. Extended closure could quickly lead to a humanitarian crisis.
A Hamas spokesman said Palestinian police, now under Hamas command, would take up positions at the crossings, but it's unlikely Israel would acquiesce to such a deployment, after Hamas militants frequently attacked the passages in the past.
The Palestinian territories are in effect split in two. Gaza is now controlled by Hamas, which has close ties to Syria and Iran. The more populous West Bank, with about 2 million residents to Gaza's 1.4 million, is dominated by the more moderate Fatah, which has ties to Israel and the West.
More
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/15/AR2007061500622.html
Gazans awoke to the new reality of Hamas control Friday, fraught with uncertainty and fear that they'll become even poorer and more isolated. Gaza's crossings with Egypt and Israel _ lifelines for the fenced-in territory _ have been closed this week, and it was not clear if they would reopen. Extended closure could quickly lead to a humanitarian crisis.
A Hamas spokesman said Palestinian police, now under Hamas command, would take up positions at the crossings, but it's unlikely Israel would acquiesce to such a deployment, after Hamas militants frequently attacked the passages in the past.
The Palestinian territories are in effect split in two. Gaza is now controlled by Hamas, which has close ties to Syria and Iran. The more populous West Bank, with about 2 million residents to Gaza's 1.4 million, is dominated by the more moderate Fatah, which has ties to Israel and the West.
More
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/15/AR2007061500622.html
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$75.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network
International community voices increasing alarm about humanitarian situation in Gaza.
GAZA CITY - Hamas fighters were in full control of the Gaza Strip on Friday after routing their Fatah rivals in days of vicious gunbattles.
The democratically elected group overran the territory hours after president Mahmud Abbas sacked the government and declared a state of emergency in a bid to avert all-out civil war.
Sporadic gunfire rattled across the impoverished strip, now completely sealed off from the outside world by Israel, as looters took to the streets.
Hamas's action, branded a "military coup" by Abbas and triggering alarm among world leaders, splits the Palestinians into two entities and throws into jeopardy any prospect for an independent state and peace with Israel.
Abbas on Friday tasked independent Salam Fayyad with forming an emergency government after dismissing the Hamas-led unity cabinet, an experiment in power-sharing that failed barely three months after it took office.
More
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=21095