[Irish Times] Michael Jansen - Since May, Hamas has consolidated its grip on Gaza, eliminating Fatah elements who tried to challenge its rule, and taking over the security forces, the ministries, the courts and the municipalities. Hamas also closed down many Fatah-affiliated and independent civil society bodies. The truce between Israel and Hamas has given Gazans a reprieve from Israeli aerial attacks and ground raids, and boosted Hamas' standing with Gazans. In May, electricity was rationed to six hours a day. Today Gaza has full power. Petrol is still in short supply, although drivers have stopped wrecking their engines with cooking oil. More goods are available thanks to the scores of tunnels dug under the border between Gaza and Egypt, including fuel for vehicles and cooking gas.
2008-11-03 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive