Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Gaza Strip chaos eases

The new stability fails to ease fears about Hamas-Fatah fighting.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 21, 2007

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - A week after Hamas' bloody takeover, the long chaotic Gaza Strip was settling into orderliness Wednesday.

Militia members barred people from carrying weapons in public, a group calling itself "Volunteers for God" frantically directed traffic at jammed intersections and gunmen demanded store owners freeze prices despite a food shortage.

Some medicine and a few food staples, such as flour and sugar, already were in short supply because Israel sealed Gaza's border crossings - including its only cargo terminal - last week when Hamas routed Fatah fighters loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The United Nations said serious food shortages could strike in two to four weeks if the borders are not opened. On Tuesday, Israel allowed aid groups to bring in 10 trucks of food and two with medicine and more was expected soon.

Hamas leaders are trying to allay Gazans' worries, promising that life under their regime will be far better than the chaos that plagued the territory in recent years, when its government involved Fatah officials widely viewed as corrupt.

Many in Gaza welcome Hamas' law and order campaign. "Now we are safe. Women are safe as well. Men don't harass them anymore, they wouldn't dare, " peddler Abu Jamal, 22, said. "I don't know what will happen in the future, but right now I feel safer than I've felt before."

A Fatah fighter, who would only give his name as Yasir, said he was keeping close to home and predicted the current stability will be short-lived. "Everybody knows each other, everybody knows who killed their brother. As soon as Hamas weakens, the guns everybody is hiding will come out."

Fast Facts:

The latest

In the West Bank: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas harshly criticized Hamas on Wednesday for taking over Gaza, saying he would not negotiate with the "murderous terrorists." In an uncharacteristically fiery televised speech, Abbas said Hamas replaced the "national project" with "its project of darkness." He also described a Hamas attempt to assassinate him. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri hotly rejected Abbas' comments.

In border violence: Israel fired missiles and sent tanks on a foray into Gaza on Wednesday, killing four Palestinians in the deadliest military action since Hamas militants took control there. Two more militants were killed by Israeli army fire in a shootout in the West Bank.

The Palestinians launched rockets at the southern Israeli town of Sderot, and Israel TV said two Israelis were slightly wounded. Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar told the Associated Press on Wednesday that Hamas doesn't want trouble with Israel, but warned it won't be the Jewish state's "protector" and threatened retaliation for attacks on militants.

At the Erez crossing: Some 200 Palestinians hoping to flee Gaza were still waiting at Erez, the main conduit between Gaza and Israel. The Israeli military said a teenager with leukemia and four other Palestinians in need of medical care were allowed to cross Wednesday. Israel also allowed in all foreign nationals living in Gaza.

Associated Press

[Last modified June 21, 2007, 00:40:32]