Hamas: Zionists want PA civil war
Group demands probe into transfer of 3,000 US-made M-16 rifles, large quantity of ammunition earmarked for President Abbas’ Force 17; ‘Arms transfer part of Zionist-American plot aimed at igniting civil war in PA,’ Hamas says in statement; Abbas denies reports of arms transfer
Despite reports of progress in Fatah-Hamas talks on the prisoners’ document, Hamas demanded Saturday that the Palestinian Legislative Council launch an investigation on the transfer into the PA of 3,000 weapons and a large quantity of ammunition earmarked for President Mahmoud Abbas’ Force 17.
The group said in a statement that trucks carrying 3,000 US-made M-16 rifles and three million bullets have crossed the Allenby Bridge in the past few days.
According to the statement, some of the arms have been transferred to Force 17 members in Gaza and Ramallah.
Hamas condemned the arms transfer, saying it is part of a Zionist-American plot aimed at igniting a civil war in the Palestinian Authority by arming one side in the Palestinian conflict under the guise of arming the Presidential Guard, or Force 17.
The organization said the arms transfer was conducted under the IDF’s full authorization, adding that army forces accompanied the trucks on their way to Gaza and Ramallah.
Hamas officials inquired as to how the arms were funded ‘at a time when the Palestinian people are under an economic siege,’ and expressed their regret over the fact that ‘Arab elements are taking part in this plot against the Palestinians.’
Abbas said upon his arrival in Jordan on Saturday that his Force 17 Presidential Guard had not received any arms from Israel.
On Friday the president said the recent Israeli reports of arms transfers are aimed at dividing and confusing the Palestinian people.
Signaling Hamas
Also on Saturday, members of Fatah’s Intervention Force in Jenin confronted Palestinian police officers and security personnel.
The 2,500-strong force was established in response to Hamas’ newly-established security unit.
The Fatah members attempted to disrupt the activity of Palestinian institutions in Jenin to protest the Hama-led government’s policies and as retaliation to Hamas’ operations against Palestinian security services in Gaza.
Recently members of the new Fatah force deployed in what appeared to be a symbolic manner to signal Hamas that Fatah would not leave central thoroughfares to the group's control.
Fatah demands the inclusion of 2,500 Intervention Force members in the Palestinian security services, this in accordance with an agreement reached between Abbas and Hamas on the incorporation of 3,000 members of Hamas’ special unit into the Palestinian police.
Palestinian Interior Ministry spokesman Khaled Abu Hillel said the deployment of Fatah’s newly-established force was illegal.
