Apologies for lack of commentary but since Keith Moons Diary scrolled off I think this breaking story needs some exposure.
KM's diary http://www.dailykos.com/...
http://news.yahoo.com/...
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Hamas gunmen attacked the headquarters of Fatah-allied forces in northern Gaza with mortars and grenades Tuesday and captured several smaller positions in what Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah alleged was a coup attempt by the Islamic militants. More than 80 people have been killed since mid-May, most of them militants, including two on Tuesday.
Security commanders loyal to Abbas complained they were not given clear orders to fight back at a time when Hamas appeared to be moving forward according to a plan.Abbas' Fatah movement was to meet later in the day to decide whether to pull out of his shaky coalition with Hamas. Calls by Abbas and exasperated Egyptian mediators for a cease-fire went unheeded.
Instead, Hamas and Fatah militants threatened to kill each other's leaders. In Gaza, a rocket-propelled grenade damaged the home of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas but caused no injuries in what Hamas said was an attempted assassination. In the
West Bank, Fatah gunmen kidnapped a deputy Cabinet minister from Hamas.Heavy gunbattles erupted in several locations in Gaza.
Some 200 Hamas fighters surrounded the headquarters of Fatah-allied forces in northern Gaza, a key prize for Hamas. The attackers fired mortar shells and RPGs at the compound, where some 500 security officers were holed up.
"They are attacking from all sides," said one of the officers, Khaled Awad.
Hamas gunmen also exchanged fire with Fatah forces at the southern security headquarters in the southern town of Khan Younis, but had not yet launched a major assault. The town's streets were empty as people huddled indoors.
Col. Nasser Khaldi, a Fatah commander in southern Gaza, confirmed his men were on the defensive. Khaldi said Abbas, the leader of Fatah, must give orders now to fight back.
"There is a weakness of our leaders," he said. "Hamas is just taking over our positions. There are no orders."
Heavy gunfire was heard throughout Gaza City, and a huge plume of white smoke rose into the air. One battle took place around the headquarters of the Preventive Security agency — a powerful pro-Fatah force.Pro-Fatah forces attacked the Hamas-run Al-Aqsa TV and radio stations in Gaza City after security officials said they received orders to stop the broadcasts. Shortly after the attack, they started broadcasting pro-Fatah songs, a sign the security forces had taken control.
Am I correct in remembering that Hamas is stronger in Gaza and Fatah is West Bank.? Could this lead to two seperate Palestine statelets ? As yet there has been no reponse from Israel or the USA. i'm curious if they would actively assist Fatah against Hamas or if they would allow the Palestinian territories to spiral out of countrol and REALLY become a no man's land where AQ and related organizations can exist.
This is a blow to Saudi prestige , they spent a lot on money patching up that treaty a few weeks ago . Can they just wash their hands of this matter ? Egypt cant be happy with happening on thier border either.
IMHO this sort of warfare represents a step up for Hamas and Fatah --small scale guerilla warfare as opposed to terror attacks. After the war with Hezbollah , Israel cant be pleased about that .
And what ever happened to the Al Aqsa/Arafat Brigades that broke off from Fatah years ago ? Did they reunite or just dissapate into the popilation