(Ha'aretz) Danny Rubinstein - After the publication of the disengagement plan, there arose an immediate need to plan the division of the assets (the lands and buildings) of the settlements in Gaza. To head off accusations with regard to possible corruption, Mohammed Dahlan announced, following his talk last week with Abdel Aziz Rantisi, that the homes of the settlers would not be divided as gifts among the PA officials. Hamas activists feel they have very strong public backing and are now demanding a partnership in the Gaza administration. They don't want to be exclusive rulers in the Strip (and perhaps they don't have the strength to be such either) because governmental responsibility requires links with the enemy. Hence, Gaza appears to be heading toward a new regime, which won't exactly be a continuation of the PA, but rather "an action committee under the auspices of the PA," as Mohammed Dahlan has suggested. In any event, the Hamas way has emerged victorious: There is no political process; the armed struggle has returned.
2004-04-19 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive