Fatah activists in Jenin
Photo: AP
Fatah gunmen disarm under amnesty deal
Dozens of Fatah gunmen hand over their arms to Palestinian security forces as part of deal with Israel granting amnesty to 180 wanted terror suspects, including Zakaria Zubeidi
Dozens of Fatah gunmen on Sunday handed over their arms to the Palestinian security forces as part of a deal with Israel granting amnesty to 180 wanted terror suspects.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert signed the deal on Saturday evening as Israel pushed ahead with efforts to galvanize President Mahmoud Abbas after his Fatah faction's defeat at the hands of Hamas in Gaza last month.
The Prime Minister's Office confirmed Sunday that the head of Fatah's military wing in Jenin, Zakariya Zubeidi, was on the list.
Zubeidi was responsible for a series of terror attacks against Israeli targets.
Aware that Israel would scrap the deal if the gunmen did not disarm, Abbas was trying to lure renegade activists by offering to buy their weapons.
Palestinian officials told Ynet that the Palestinian Authority would pay gunmen up to NIS 60,000 for an M-16 rifle and NIS 15,000 for a Kalashnikov. Smaller guns are purchased for up to NIS 24,000.
Under the deal, the Palestinian Authority will integrate dozens of wanted Fatah gunmen into its security forces. Israel preserves the right to pursue those whom it suspects of terror activities.
Ronny Sofer contributed to this report
