After intense bloodletting, Hamas-controlled Gaza witnesses a precarious calm

Editorial Note: The following news reports may be summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology.

Date: 15 / 06 / 2007 Time: 10:14

Gaza – Ma'an –

Early Friday morning in the Gaza Strip witnessed a new tranquillity, which has been alien to the population over the past five days. Over recent days residents of Gaza have experienced fierce confrontations which led to the deaths of 120 and the injury of more than 500 from Fatah and Hamas, as well as non-combatant civilians.

Armed fighters have been deployed in the streets and around the security headquarters, which have been taken-over by Hamas, one after another. According to Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas-affiliated Executive Force are in charge of imposing order, along with the Palestinian police force.

Members of the security forces remained at home and many of their leaders have fled to the West Bank and Egypt. The situation for those that remain in the Gaza Strip is uncertain as the armed wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, have killed a number of those whom Hamas call "the treacherous trend in Fatah" such as Samih al-Madhoun and his escorts, in addition to Jamal Abu Al-Jidyan, among other preventive security members.

The Palestinians are witnessing events fearing that Israel may close the crossings, which will cease food and fuel supplies to Gaza. Observers have also raised concerns that the European monitors at the Rafah crossing may not return, which will complete the imprisonment of the Gaza Strip.

Hamas' control over the Gaza Strip is evident as three Fatah-affiliated radio stations have ceased transmission. Palestine TV also halted its transmission after Hamas gunmen took control of it when they occupied the neighbouring presidential headquarters in Gaza City.

What future for the government?

The future of the security services remains ambiguous following President Mahmoud Abbas' announcement of a state of emergency.

Dismissed Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh, attempted to provide some answers during a press conference in the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh described Gaza as in inseparable part of the Palestinian entity and refused the establishment of Palestinian state in Gaza alone.

"We will begin the national reconciliation through the appropriate mechanisms and there is no change to the relations with the nationalistic forces. We will go ahead with the unity program alongside those who would like to work with us," said Haniyeh.

The dismissed PM added, "We affirm commitment to the domestic treaties, including the Mecca agreement and the Cairo dialogues, and our relations with Arab states are still brother-relations."

With regards to the security status, Haniyeh called for a general amnesty and for the protection of civilian lives. Haniyeh asserted that all aspects of security chaos are over and that law and order will be imposed "through decisiveness according to the law."

However, President Abbas, who has no field control in Gaza, will start to compose an emergency government; however, it will be difficult for anyone in Gaza to have involvement in such a government, due to the threatening presence of Hamas.

Many spectators believe that the only possibility of success for the new emergency government would be an international intervention.

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