(Jerusalem Post) Khaled Abu Toameh - Hundreds of civilians took to the streets in the Gaza neighborhoods of Sabra and Zeitun on Friday to face Palestinian policemen searching for Hamas gunmen. Hamas was not alone in the confrontation with the PA, as gunmen belonging to other local militias, including disgruntled Fatah activists, are said to have participated in the street battles. At least 12 groups added their voice to a Hamas leaflet calling for the dismissal of PA Interior Minister Nasr Yussef, who is trying to stop the rocket attacks on Israel. Many of the policemen involved in the clashes covered their faces with masks - a sign that they were either afraid of revenge or simply ashamed of what they were doing. Some of the Palestinian security officers in Gaza are said to have defied Youssef by refusing to take part in the crackdown on Hamas. More than six months after he entered office, Abbas has hardly been able to deliver on most of the promises he made prior to his election.
2005-07-18 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive