(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - Those who believe that the reinstatement of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza would destroy or undermine Hamas and end rocket attacks on Israel are living under an illusion. Many seem to have forgotten that even while he was in control of Gaza, Abbas could not stop the rocket attacks or disarm any of the terrorist groups. Even if the PA returned to Gaza, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups would not disappear. Abbas and the PA cannot return to Gaza unless Hamas and its allies are completely disarmed. Abbas would probably love to retake control over Gaza. However, under the current circumstances, his return to Gaza would be seen by Hamas and other Palestinians as an act of treason. The last thing he needs is to be accused of returning to Gaza "aboard an Israeli tank." Abbas still does not trust Hamas in spite of the unity agreement he signed. After the Hamas coup in 2007, Abbas revealed that Hamas had tried to kill him just before its militiamen seized control of the entire Strip. Moreover, a plan by the Islamist movement to overthrow his regime in the West Bank was revealed this week.
2014-08-22 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive