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Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
Street clashes spread in Gaza |
2006-12-16 |
![]() ![]() Talks between the two sides on forming a governing coalition that could help lift international sanctions on the Hamas-led government have collapsed, and Abbas has suggested that he might call new elections, a move that could further inflame the confrontation. The worsening crisis has also caused concern in Israel, as well as Egypt and Jordan, where radical Muslim groups have challenged the government. On Friday, Hamas said that Mohammed Dahlan, a Fatah strongman in Gaza, orchestrated an attack by members of Abbas' presidential guard on Haniyeh's entourage, which came under fire at the Rafah border crossing after the prime minister crossed into the Gaza Strip late Thursday. One of Haniyeh's bodyguards was killed, and his son and a political adviser were wounded. ![]() Khalil al-Hayeh, the head of the Hamas faction in parliament, told mourners at the funeral of Haniyeh's bodyguard that Dahlan was trying to overthrow the government, and he urged the crowd "to get us the plotters of this coup." ![]() Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Abbas, said at a news conference in Ramallah that Hamas was to blame for the mayhem at the border crossing. "We hold Hamas fully responsible for the chaos that happened yesterday at the border. As for the threat against my colleague Mohammed Dahlan, Hamas as a movement will bear full responsibility for the consequences of their accusation." Haniyeh, surrounded by a phalanx of armed bodyguards, received a tumultuous welcome from tens of thousands of supporters at a rally in a stadium in Gaza City marking the 19th anniversary of the founding of Hamas. In a fiery speech, he said Hamas could not be defeated through assassinations. "We joined the movement to become martyrs, not ministers," he declared. The prospect that a high-profile killing could send the factional conflict spinning out of control has caused concern in Israel, as well as Egypt and Jordan, where there has been talk of bolstering Abbas with additional arms and with troops from a Palestinian military unit based in Jordan. ![]() ![]() In Gaza City, masked Hamas militants who joined a Hamas-led security force on the streets traded gunfire with Fatah-allied police near a security post, sending civilians running for cover. There were no reports of casualties. In previous surges of factional fighting, leaders of Fatah and Hamas have stepped back from the brink of all-out conflict, reaching understandings to calm fighting in the streets. But this time positions seem to be hardening. "Both sides are digging in," said Iyad Abu Sbeih, 24, who witnessed the clash near the Ramallah mosque. "They will not reach an agreement." |
Posted by:Fred |
#14 well, the Paleos do love to dig... The toothy ones are just that way. The fake religon made them love the dirt. Ima say we should PINCER THE BASTARDS! /Lucky |
Posted by: Shipman 2006-12-16 15:28 |
#13 "Both sides are digging in," said Iyad Abu Sbeih, 24, who witnessed the clash near the Ramallah mosque. "They will not reach an agreement." well, the Paleos do love to dig... |
Posted by: Frank G 2006-12-16 15:19 |
#12 Chaos! Murder! Mayhem! Bloodshed! Another typical day in paleostainland. |
Posted by: Old Patriot 2006-12-16 14:29 |
#11 Go Mo, Go! Get all the Masterminds and Strongmen and Martyrs and Masked Militants together and Go Get 'Em! |
Posted by: Phineter Thraviger 2006-12-16 13:37 |
#10 "Mohammed Dahlan, a Fatah strongman in Gaza, orchestrated an attack by members of Abbas' presidential guard on Haniyeh's entourage, " remember, it was Mo Dahlan that Abbas wanted to appont Interior Minister, provoking the crisis between Abbas and Arafat back in 2003. War with Hamas is something Dahlan has been planning for some time. |
Posted by: liberalhawk 2006-12-16 13:06 |
#9 *anything* .... time to get the ole contacts upgraded, me thinks me eyesight is going !&^%##^&%^)*&^!!! |
Posted by: Lancasters Over Dresden 2006-12-16 12:46 |
#8 "Both sides are digging in," said Iyad Abu Sbeih, 24, who witnessed the clash near the Ramallah mosque. "They will not reach an agreement." Oh boy, if this is anyhting like the Somme or Ypres, this is going to be great! |
Posted by: Lancasters Over Dresden 2006-12-16 12:45 |
#7 I'ma need something more substatial that popcorn. Maybe we need a healthy party platter.![]() |
Posted by: Shipman 2006-12-16 09:38 |
#6 My heart pumps piss. |
Posted by: Zenster 2006-12-16 04:30 |
#5 I wish someone would set up cameras so we can watch this. Web-cam title: When Muslims Go Jihady. |
Posted by: Sneaze Shaiting3550 2006-12-16 01:42 |
#4 "In other news, popcorn futures continued their recent climb today. Market analysts were unsure what is causing the move..." |
Posted by: PBMcL 2006-12-16 01:05 |
#3 Finally, an ACTUAL civil war in the Paleo state they call Gaza. Wonder how long before the UN says it's to dangerous to operate? |
Posted by: Charles 2006-12-16 01:05 |
#2 I'm in the "affirmative" camp |
Posted by: Frank G 2006-12-16 00:56 |
#1 "Both sides are digging in," said Iyad Abu Sbeih, 24, who witnessed the clash near the Ramallah mosque. "They will not reach an agreement." The good news just keeps coming... |
Posted by: twobyfour 2006-12-16 00:55 |