PA to rebuild Islamic Jihad man's house
Home of Muhammad Shahade, killed by IDF in Bethlehem, demolished several days before operation. Palestinian economy minister heads official Palestinian Authority delegation to mourning tent, makes promise to family
Palestinian Economy Minister Kamal Hassuneh, who headed an official PA delegation to the mourning tent over the weekend, announced that the Palestinian government had decided to rebuild Shahade's house.
Salah Haniyeh, spokesman for the Palestinian Ministry of Public Works, said the death of Shehadeh "shook Palestinian society." He said rebuilding the family's home "must be a priority."
The move appeared to be an effort by the government of President Mahmoud Abbas to pre-empt offers by others, including Hizbullah and Hamas, to rebuild the house. Abbas is concerned about the rising influence of the Lebanese Shiite group as well has Hamas, his main rival.
Palestinian sources have reported that Shahade's family received a phone call from Hassan Nasrallah's office Friday evening.
Hizbullah representatives reportedly spoke with Shahade's widow and informed her that Nasrallah decided to designate her husband as a Hizbullah martyr, therefore entitling his family to a "martyr allowance."
"We do not alienate ourselves from our people and we will assume the financial burden involved in this," Hizbullah told the widow.
Following Shahade's killing, Palestinian sources told Ynet that he planned the attack at Mercaz Harav yeshiva in Jerusalem last week, and noted that he also maintained close ties with Hizbullah."
