Hamas, Abbas forces parade

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) – Security forces from rival Palestinian
factions paraded through the streets of Gaza on Thursday,
sometimes within feet of one another, intensifying fears of a
showdown between the heavily armed groups.

Bearded young men armed with AK-47s and dressed in military
fatigues, part of a new, 3,000-strong Hamas-allied force, held
ground on many streets, while a bolstered police force loyal to
President Mahmoud Abbas paraded nearby.

Tensions remained high into late evening with some 8,000
pro-Fatah demonstrators marching in the southern Gaza town of
Khan Younis protesting against the new force. Gunmen fired into
the air and protesters shouted slogans in support of Abbas.

A smaller rally in Gaza City saw some 2,000 Hamas
supporters chant in favor of the force.

For residents of Gaza City, there was a mix of confusion
and concern, with some unsure exactly which armed men were
loyal to which faction, and whether the extra presence would
mean greater security or an inevitable showdown between the
groups.

“I wonder when the zero hour will come,” one passerby said
as he watched the two forces maneuver in Gaza City.

One elderly man wasn’t sure who was who. “Are you police or
are you Hamas?” 65-year-old Abu Ahmed asked some gunmen.

“We are the executive force,” a bearded young man from
Hamas replied, leaving 65-year-old Abu Ahmed little the wiser.

The Hamas-backed force, formed under the authority of
Interior Minister Saeed Seyam, was deployed on Wednesday in a
challenge to the authority of Abbas, whose Fatah movement was
defeated by Hamas in elections in January.

In response, Abbas ordered the deployment of a Fatah-loyal
police unit. The decision marked the latest step in a deepening
power struggle between Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh,
whose Hamas Islamic militant movement took power in March.

In a speech to several hundred policemen on Thursday,
Haniyeh defended the deployment of the new Hamas force.

“The force which was formed by a decision of the minister
of interior is a backup force,” he said. “It was formed in
accordance with the law and the constitution and with the
agreement of brother Abu Mazen,” he added, referring to Abbas.

“This force will be according to the law and integrated
into the security services. The force is not directed against
anyone. As they were in the forefront of resistance, they are
now protecting the land and security.”

“CAT AND MOUSE”

In parts of Gaza, members of the Hamas force stood within
feet of regular policemen. At one point, hundreds of
Fatah-loyal gunmen marched by Hamas men as part of the training
course.

The rival displays come amid growing insecurity in Gaza,
with at least five rival gunmen killed this month.

“We have become a people with two heads, Abbas and
Haniyeh,” Abu Ahmed said as he walked past the Hamas force in
Gaza.

“I really do not know whether those young men are a
solution to the chaos or a recipe for war,” he said.

Salaries to the 165,000 people employed by the Palestinian
Authority have not been paid for more than two months after
funding to the Hamas-led administration was severed. Among
those unpaid are 70,000 security staff.

Deputy Prime Minister Naser al-Shaer said in Ramallah later
on Thursday the government would make a down payment in lieu of
money owed to employees next week from revenues collected
within the local economy, although he did not specify amounts.

“The finance minister will announce the details and the
sums which will be paid to employees next week,” Shaer said.

(Additional reporting by Mohammed Assadi in Ramallah)