Fayyad says Abbas unity offer still on the table, Hamas government announces end of crackdown, pledges to release detainees

Hamas government announces end of crackdown, pledges to release detainees

Date: 05 / 08 / 2008 Time: 22:12
Gaza – Ma'an –

The Hamas-run de facto government in Gaza declared on Tuesday evening the end of a "crackdown" in the Al-Shuja'iyah neighborhood of Gaza City that left nine people dead, and will take the responsibility for the damage caused in the operation.

The de facto government announced its intention to release all detainees who have not been found to be involved in any lawbreaking, and reopen institutions that were shut down in the clampdown.

"We ask all those who left the Gaza Strip during the crackdown campaign to return and we promise to provide them with a safe life," the de facto government said in a statement.

More than 100 people were also injured in the fighting, which began with a raid by Hamas government forces on the houses of a prominent pro-Fatah family.

The government held a meeting headed by Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah on Tuesday. The de facto cabinet congratulated Haniyah on his recovery after a recent surgery.

They discussed the facts of what they termed a "crackdown" by the Interior Ministry to impose order in Al-Shuja'iyah.

The government added that the Interior Ministry decided to reopen Sawt Al-Sha'ab (Voice of the People) radio in the Gaza Strip and to consider those who were killed at the Gaza shore as martyrs.

They also called for the release of all detainees in the West Bank and the opening of all institutions there.

The De Facto Government stressed the need for an immediate end of the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, calling on Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing.

The government warned Israel against committing any "follies or breaches of the truce" and condemned the Israeli policy of illegal settlement activities in the West Bank.

Fayyad: Abbas' unity offer still on the table

Date: 05 / 08 / 2008 Time: 21:53
Ramallah – Ma'an -

Palestinian caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Tuesday urged immediate action to implement a proposal for intra-Palestinian dialogue previously proposed by President Mahmoud Abbas.

In a speech in the West Bank city of Ramallah to a delegation from the Modern School, Fayyad said that the Abbas initiative, which was first put forward in June, is still on the table despite a recent flare-up of Hamas-Fatah infighting.

Nine Palestinians were killed in a battle between Fatah fighters and Hamas forces in Gaza City on Saturday.

The president's initiative would end the suffering of the 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza, Fayyad argued.

Fayyad said Israel benefits from the Palestinian political split, exploiting the division by increasing the construction of illegal settlements in the West Bank and ignoring the peace process.

"We remain committed to this Palestinian land, but this needs our steadfastness and ensuring the basic services and development in education, health and economy for our locals," Fayyad said, referring to the work of the Palestinian Authority. Fayyad was appointed Prime Minister in June 2007 following Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip.

Fayyad said Abbas' initiative should be carried out with national and Arab support in order to put an end to the current "abnormal situation."

He said the initiative envisions the formation of a transitional government to manage the affairs of the country. "Arab assistance" would help to rebuild security in the Gaza Strip, he added.

He argued that the President Abbas' initiative would end the division "immediately" by unifying the country as one administrative unit. A full "national dialogue" he said could take years to complete.

"Which is better, to conduct the dialogue in the framework of a unified homeland or in a torn one?" he asked.

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