Close call. Abu Shbak
Photo: Nahum Barnea
Gaza security chief escapes Hamas attack
Hamas gunmen open fire at convoy of Fatah’s Preventive Security force chief as he attends funeral of fellow officer. Abu Shbak rushed from scene unharmed, but two others injured
Witnesses in Gaza said Rashid Abu Shbak, the head of the Fatah’s Preventive Security force, got caught in the crossfire of a Hamas-Fatah gun battle on Saturday while he was attending the funeral of a security officer killed overnight by gunmen.
There was no indication Abu Shbak was injured before being rushed out of the area, but one of his men and a civilian were hurt after Hamas gunmen opened fire at the security chief’s convoy.
Abu Shbak is said to be closely allied with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Muhammad Dahlan.
The funeral was for a major in the Preventive Security force who was shot and killed Saturday during a botched kidnapping attempt. Preventive Security accused Hamas of carrying out the killing, and vowed to retaliate.
During the funeral, gunmen chanted "Revenge, revenge" and fired in the air, passing by several groups of Hamas gunmen.
Last month Palestinian discovered a large roadside bomb that they said was intended to assassinate Abu Shbak. The 70-kilogram (154-pound) bomb was planted on a road linking his home to his office. Abu Shbak is the only senior official to use the road.
The security chief is currently in the middle of the Fatah-Hamas power struggle, which began following Hamas’ victory in the January PA elections. In April Abu Shbak was put in charge of three security units that gather information for the Interior Ministry, which is under Hamas’ authority.
Associated Press contributed to the report
