[Ha'aretz] Avi Issacharoff - In Gaza, it turns out that there is money - but only for Hamas members. Those who receive salaries are Hamas supporters. The new poor are Fatah members. Hamas' operational force, which numbers thousands of soldiers, receives the best equipment, regular supplies of food and drink, and, according to Fatah members, a sizable monthly allowance. This fact has ignited the anger of members of the other security services who have not received wages for nearly six months. A senior officer in one of the security services said Hamas has appointed 11,000 civil service employees, including 67 new directors and deputy directors to the government ministries, and another 300 assistants and advisers. "They are smuggling millions via the crossings and paying their people salaries." The officer claims that a Palestinian unity government will not serve Fatah, but will rescue Hamas. "They want a unity government because for them it's the last opportunity to remain in power."
2006-09-13 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive