08 12 05 PA fears settlements may be overrun by Hamas after pullout
12/08/2005
PA fears settlements may be overrun by Hamas after pullout
Senior Palestinian Authority and Fatah leaders are concerned that Hamas will attempt to break through PA ranks and send thousands of its supporters into the areas of evacuated Gaza settlements, despite an agreement to close off those areas after the pullout.
Fatah and PA sources said the organizations have agreed that immediately after the pullout, the former settlement areas would be declared military zones closed to all but a few PA officials. The PA has prohibited flying any flags other than those of the PA and PLO.
This is seen by Hamas and the other armed factions as an attempt to monopolize the celebrations and minimize Hamas` role. The PA, on the other hand, says that Hamas plans to hold military parades in the cities including vehicles mounted with weapons, and thousands of the movement`s members marching in uniform.
Senior officials from Fatah and the PA have also agreed with the leaders of Hamas in the Gaza Strip that celebrations of the disengagement will be limited to Gaza City, Khan Yunis and Rafah, urban areas adjacent to the settlements.
Although a "Joint National Committee" has been formed to discuss the celebrations and the future governance of the area, this is seen as a mere pretense of unity, and it is believed that after the pullout each group will try to take over the celebrations.
In light of the PA police`s failure to stop movement by civilians in the past, the PA has devised two strategies. One is to use Fatah student groups and the Fatah-Tanzim militia in leading the celebrations. The other is to encourage special citizens groups to mount countermarches.
The PA already used this tactic three weeks ago against the firing of Qassams, and intends to expand it in the coming weeks. A transportation plan has been prepared to move these "professional civilians" from place to place during the Palestinian victory celebrations in the Gaza Strip.
PA fears settlements may be overrun by Hamas after pullout
Senior Palestinian Authority and Fatah leaders are concerned that Hamas will attempt to break through PA ranks and send thousands of its supporters into the areas of evacuated Gaza settlements, despite an agreement to close off those areas after the pullout.
Fatah and PA sources said the organizations have agreed that immediately after the pullout, the former settlement areas would be declared military zones closed to all but a few PA officials. The PA has prohibited flying any flags other than those of the PA and PLO.
This is seen by Hamas and the other armed factions as an attempt to monopolize the celebrations and minimize Hamas` role. The PA, on the other hand, says that Hamas plans to hold military parades in the cities including vehicles mounted with weapons, and thousands of the movement`s members marching in uniform.
Senior officials from Fatah and the PA have also agreed with the leaders of Hamas in the Gaza Strip that celebrations of the disengagement will be limited to Gaza City, Khan Yunis and Rafah, urban areas adjacent to the settlements.
Although a "Joint National Committee" has been formed to discuss the celebrations and the future governance of the area, this is seen as a mere pretense of unity, and it is believed that after the pullout each group will try to take over the celebrations.
In light of the PA police`s failure to stop movement by civilians in the past, the PA has devised two strategies. One is to use Fatah student groups and the Fatah-Tanzim militia in leading the celebrations. The other is to encourage special citizens groups to mount countermarches.
The PA already used this tactic three weeks ago against the firing of Qassams, and intends to expand it in the coming weeks. A transportation plan has been prepared to move these "professional civilians" from place to place during the Palestinian victory celebrations in the Gaza Strip.
posted by solitarioh2005 at
3:55 AM
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