Palestinian militants briefly abducted two UN workers and their driver in Gaza yesterday, before they were freed by security forces in a gunfight. The gunmen, believed to be loyal to Farouk Kaddoumi, a rival of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, stopped a UN vehicle driving through Khan Younis and kidnapped the workers and driver. Soon after, security officers broke into a building where the three were being held and escorted the freed hostages to a police vehicle amid a hail of gunfire that erupted between Palestinian security forces and the kidnappers.
| "Idjits! You're threatening our meal ticket!" |
Palestinian security officials blamed the kidnapping on a group loyal to Mr Kaddoumi, the most senior member of Mr Abbas's ruling Fatah party.
On Sunday, Mr Kaddoumi's spokesman in Gaza, Suleiman al-Farra, released a statement saying the leader - who skulks about lives in Tunisia - had ordered the creation of an army of 1,500 soldiers to help the Palestinian Authority maintain law and order during Israel's withdrawal from Gaza next week.
| "Youse guys need my help! No, no, I'm fine here in Tunis, but you'd better listen to what I say!" |
Mr Farra was later arrested by Palestinian security officers. No official reason was given for his ar rest, and Mr Kaddoumi threatened in a handwritten statement harsh punishment if he was not immediately released.
| "Har! Youse going to get it! I got plenty o' mouthpieces!" |
The incidents were the latest sign of lawlessness and Palestinian infighting in Gaza as government rivals and militants seek to show their power, and clash with security forces trying to consolidate their authority. |