[Jerusalem Post] Khaled Abu Toameh - Contrary to PA claims, Fatah's armed wing has not been dismantled in Nablus. Dozens of Fatah gunmen in the West Bank have not surrendered their weapons and are continuing to plan attacks against Israel. During an IDF operation in Nablus which began on Thursday, the IDF arrested 19 gunmen belonging to Fatah's armed wing, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades. The IDF has also arrested two security officers working for the PA's Military Intelligence Force: Shadi al-Sakhel and Ahmed Hisham, suspected of helping the Aksa Martyrs Brigades in the city. IDF soldiers discovered a workshop in Nablus' Old City where the group was said to have manufactured two rockets. Many Palestinians in Nablus said that while the PA security forces did clamp down on local criminals, they did not do enough to stop the Fatah gunmen from continuing to operate in the city. Many members of the Aksa Martyrs Brigades have openly challenged the PA's call to hand over their weapons in return for jobs and salaries. They prefer to continue operating as an independent "security force" where they can earn more by extorting businessmen and wealthy families.
2008-01-07 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive