Former Palestinian Security Head Slain

Dozens of gunmen stormed the house of a former Palestinian security chief in Gaza Wednesday before executing him in the street, security sources said.

The sources told United Press International that unknown assailants broke into the two-story house of Maj. Gen. Mousa Arafat, a cousin of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and former chief of National Security, in Tel Hawa west of Gaza city at 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Witnesses said more than 20 cars carrying masked gunmen armed with automatic rifles, hand grenades and rockets encircled Arafat’s house, overpowered his guards and then drove Arafat out on the street where they executed him.

Security sources said the attackers kidnapped Arafat’s son, Manhal, who is a security official in the Palestinian Authority.

The Committees of Popular Resistance claimed responsibility for the assassination, but provided no motive.

A spokesman for the group, identified as Abu Abeer, contacted UPI in Gaza claiming responsibility for the killing and the kidnapping, saying, We will reveal the reasons behind killing the collaborator Mousa Arafat later on.

There was no immediate reaction from PA officials on the assassination.