Gunmen storm Gaza parliament
Fatah gunmen, policemen fire to protest Palestinian Authority's failure to restrain Hamas
Gunmen stormed the Palestinian Legislative Council building in Gaza Monday and started firing once inside the compound. The incident occurred while Palestinian parliament members were present at the building and holding a video conference with their counterparts in Ramallah
At the end of the session the Council decided by a 43-5 majority, to instruct Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia to form a new government within two weeks.
The new government is supposed to serve as an emergency government until general elections scheduled for January and will be tasked with curbing Palestinian Authority anarchy.
The vote marked a clear warning signal to Qureia, whose position is shaky at this time. Council members warned that should the new government not be formed within two weeks, Qureia's current government will be toppled in no-confidence vote.
Monday's incident represents a further escalation in the Gaza violence, which erupted Sunday while PA officers attempted to confiscate weapons from Hamas terrorists. The fighting culminated in the deaths of three people, and left dozens wounded.
"We are on the verge of civil war if the situation remains out of control," said Qaddoura Fares, a reformist legislator with Abbas's mainstream Fatah movement.
The members of the Legislative Council were discussing the worsening situation in Gaza, the arms anarchy in the streets, and ways of improving this state of affairs in the Strip.
Proposals of how to tackle the situation included a suggestion to dismiss all PA security commanders and their deputies, and a recommendation to remove Civilian Affairs Minister Mohammed Dahlan from his post.
Hamas members under attack
Meanwhile, the funeral of the Shati Police Deputy Commander Ali Makawi, who was killed Sunday night during the armed clashes, was held in Gaza.
Several fights erupted during the funeral between Fatah members and policemen on the one side, and Hamas activists on the other. Sources in Gaza reported that some people were injured during these incidences.
Street fighting in Gaza (Photo: Reuters)
Earlier Monday, gunmen fired at the house of Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar. No injuries were reported. The Hamas also claimed that gunmen shot at the houses of other organization's members, despite Hamas' calls for calm and for safeguarding "Palestinian unity."
It appears that this time, Fatah and the PA have decided to respond to the violations much more harshly.
Both Egypt and the Supreme Committee of the Palestinian organizations have acted to pacify the rivaling sides and promote continued talks between Hamas and the PA.
Hamas implicated in parade blast
Meanwhile, the Palestinian general prosecutor held a press conference Monday, in which he presented the evidence gathered in the investigation into the blast during a Hamas parade in Gaza last month, which claimed the lives of 20 Palestinians.
The prosecutor introduced materials and shrapnel that were collected at the scene, and that proved to be identical to the materials found in explosives manufactured by the Hamas. Some of the shrapnel contained wood and strings, which contradicts any claims that an Israeli missile was fired at the parade.
The prosecutor reported that the Hamas refused to hand over to the police the remains of the car that exploded in the parade, and concluded that no external cause was involved in the blast.
(Reuters contributed to this report)
