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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Hamas, Fatah gunmen exchange fire in Gaza
2006-01-27
I NEVER would have predicted THIS!
Hamas and Fatah gunmen exchanged fire in the Gaza Strip on Friday, the first of many such gun battles since the Islamic militant group crushed the long-dominant Palestinian faction in a parliamentary election, witnesses said. In an effort to prove to the world that they were capable of managing their own affairs through civil discourse, at least two people were wounded in the clash near the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, the witnesses said, describing the incident as a feud over the election results.
calling it the beginnings of a "civil" war give's 'em too much credit. more of an "uncivil" war
After the results of Wednesday's vote were announced, Hamas called for immediate talks among factions to discuss formation of a new government. But leaders of Abbas's long-dominant Fatah party said they wanted no part in such a coalition. Hamas's triumph in winning 76 seats in the 132-member Palestinian parliament against 43 for Fatah was widely seen as a political earthquake in the Middle East, triggered in part by voter disenchantment with corruption.
you get what you pay for
Posted by:PlanetDan

#16  I'm sure I'm being overly optimistic, but I actually think that if this handled right, this could become a good thing.
Posted by: 2b   2006-01-27 17:12  

#15  Just counting the Soon-to-be-Absentee Vote.
Posted by: 6   2006-01-27 17:07  

#14  Democracy in action is a beautiful thing.
Posted by: Captain America   2006-01-27 16:53  

#13  #9 tu3031 - ROFLMAO!

Add some popcorn and a nice Pinot Grigio and I'd buy a ticket. :-D
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2006-01-27 16:34  

#12  Hey, Armyguy - I called dibs on the popcorn concession months ago! ;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2006-01-27 16:32  

#11  excellent point AP, excellent.

They (the Israelis) want to put pressure on Hamas, but they dont want to be responsible before the world for a health crisis, cholera epidemic, etc. Besides a cholera epidemic could lead to serious consequences in Israel unless they completely seal off the territories, which is not easy wrt Gaza, and close to impossible for the West Bank, at least at this point.

I think they will try to work multilaterally for now, getting the US and the EU to join them in cutting off most funds to the PA, and confining diplo contact to direct talks with Abbas only. Meanwhile the water and power will flow, and funds that the PA has a stronger claim to - the tariff revenues Israel collects for them. Then they'll get out the popcorn and watch and wait. See how far the Euros and US will go. See what Hamas does about the security forces, which are staffed by Fatahniks, who are scared for their jobs (and their lives?) They can then ratchet up the pressure (how would you like some blackouts) or ratchet down the pressure (oh, we just found some money to release).
Posted by: liberalhawk   2006-01-27 16:14  

#10  So, the bigger question needs to be asked here. The festivities are amusing and all that, but.......

Israel made an agreement at Oslo, which involved a bunch of things with the Paleos. Being a water and sewer guy, I always go back to infrastructure: electricity, water, sewer. Israel agreed to sell power and water to Gaza and the PA as required. However, who becomes the PA after Fatah gives up? Would it be Hamas? Now if Hamas becomes the authority (PA), and they do not formally renounce their aims of destroying Israel, why should Israel help them in any way, giving them resources that will work toward the destruction of Israel? If Israel does this, then it is suicide by the installment plan.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2006-01-27 15:36  

#9  If the Israelis put some seats and bulletproof glass on top of that wall and maybe sell some decent beer, they'll make a fortune...
Posted by: tu3031   2006-01-27 14:37  

#8  Hamas and Fatah shooting it out? Whatever could have caused such an unexpected turn of events? Can't we all just get along? [/RK]

File this under my best new oxymoron: Arab Unity
Posted by: Zenster   2006-01-27 14:34  

#7  Another story I saw about this incident sez the shooting began right after the standard Friday prayers call to arms...The violence erupted, they said, after Hamas militants were angered by a sermon by a Fatah-appointed Muslim preacher during Friday prayers.
Posted by: Seafarious   2006-01-27 14:27  

#6  "It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood"___ Mr Rodgers (PBOH)
Posted by: Floluling Flaque1203   2006-01-27 13:48  

#5  Maybe they'll declare separate states like Hamastan, Fatahistan, East Hamastan, and East Fatahistan.
Wall builders needed, body armour required.
Posted by: wxjames   2006-01-27 09:49  

#4  maybe if they fight among themselves they will leave Israel alone for a while. We can only hope.
Posted by: 49 Pan   2006-01-27 09:43  

#3  it's called "demanding a recount" :-)
Posted by: Frank G   2006-01-27 09:25  

#2  Hamastan and Fatahland at war are they? More 7.62 x 39 needed maybe? Lets give the lads a hand so they can sort it out properly.
Posted by: Besoeker   2006-01-27 08:23  

#1  POPCORN ANYONE??????
Posted by: ARMYGUY   2006-01-27 08:03  

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