Loyalists vow revenge at Arafat's funeral
Former security chief and cousin of late PA leader Yasser Arafat buried in Gaza; supporters take to the streets, vow to avenge his murder
Firing rifles in the air, scores of loyalists of slain Palestinian ex-security chief Moussa Arafat vowed to avenge his killing by militants as he was buried in Gaza Friday.
The death of Arafat, shot dead Wednesday by gunmen who stormed his home, underscored the turmoil in the Gaza Strip and increased fears of internal strife after Israel completes its pullout from the occupied territory next week.
"The killers must be punished," chanted dozens of armed men surrounding Arafat's coffin, draped in Palestinian colors as it was borne through Gaza streets on a military vehicle.
"We will give our souls and blood to redeem you Moussa Arafat," they cried, firing shots in the air.
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas joined prayers at a mosque for Arafat, a cousin of the late leader Yasser Arafat. However, officials were prevented from joining the funeral march by Arafat loyalists, who accuse the PA of failing to act against the killers.
Arafat had made many enemies
Security forces nearby did not intervene Wednesday as masked gunmen battled for more than 30 minutes to get into Arafat's home, then dragged him out and shot him dead in the street.
His son, Minhal, was kidnapped in the raid and released Thursday night. Militants from the Popular Resistance Committees claimed responsibility for the killing, accusing Arafat of collaborating with Israel and corruption.
The group said that Minhal had been freed after PA negotiators undertook to redress "The crimes of the dead collaborator Moussa Arafat".
Arafat was a Gaza strongman kept as an adviser by Abbas after being fired as head of military intelligence in an anti-corruption crackdown in April.
Arafat, who never shied from using force himself, made many enemies among militant factions waging an uprising against Israel since 2000 and also within the ruling Fatah movement.
The funeral parade was small by Gaza standards for a figure so prominent.
Abbas' office quoted the president as saying that Arafat had been "assassinated by treacherous hands". There was no comment made on whether any action would be taken against his killers.
