Hamas, Fatah at loggerheads

Palestinian sources say meeting between Haniyeh, Abbas cancelled as Gaza witnesses internecine fighting; source familiar with talks to release Gilad Shalit say negotiations stalled

Ali Waked|Published: 10.21.06 , 15:54

Two days after Fatah and Hamas signed a mutual understanding agreement, violence returned to the Gaza Strip on Saturday as members of the Palestinian Authority security forces affiliated with Fatah blocked major roads and fired in the air in protest at delays in the payment of long-due wages.

Policemen and security officers burnt tires and interrupted traffic demanded the Hamas-government secure enough funds to pay their salaries.

The protests occurred to the backdrop of stalled talks between President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh about the formation of a unity government.

The Palestinian news agency reported Saturday morning that Abbas cancelled a planned meeting with Haniyeh over remarks that Fatah is seeking to overthrow Hamas.

Haniyeh said Friday that Hamas wouldn't bow to threats by Abbas to hold a referendum on the future of the Hamas-led government, charging that a unity government with Fatah is the only solution to internal strife.

Ahead of the anticipated meeting, Hamas and Fatah agreed to cooperate to find a way out of the deadly cycle of violence and vowed to urge their supporters to refrain from holding armed demonstrations.

But on Friday, Hamas supporters in the West Bank town of Qalqiliya held an armed demonstration to protest Fatah threats to oust the Islamic group.

Fatah is concerned by reports that Hamas plans to set up a special security unit in the West Bank to protect the Hamas government. Friday's rare armed protest of Hamas supporters added fuel to the fire as many read it as a confirmation of Hamas' intentions.

Hussein a-Sheikh, a Fatah leader in the West Bank, said his group would not allow the government to set up a crony security force.

No progress in Shalit talks

Meanwhile, a source familiar with talks to release kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit said negotiations are stalled.

But the source added that both sides hope a breakthrough could be achieved soon.

"I can say what happened over the last few days – attempts to renew talks in more serious manner. It is a new start of all talks on the issue of Shalit, but I can't see a breakthrough that will allow the soldier's release in two days," the source said.

"For the time being there are no signs from both sides that a deal could be sealed within a day or two. But there is an understanding that staying in the same position is useful to no one," they said.

A Palestinian security official estimated that Hamas would ask Egyptian and international mediators that Israel halts its military incursions into the Gaza Strip as a condition for Shalit's release.

Hamas understands that Israeli talks of a large-scale military operation in Gaza is aimed at applying pressure on the Islamic group to agree to a prisoner exchange deal with Israel, the official said, adding that Hamas wants guarantees that Israel won't act on its words once Shalit is release.