Here's How the Palestinians Deal with Terrorists!

You might remember the story of the Fatah gunmen who shot at the Palestinian compound yesterday in Ramallah. Well, check out the whole story...it's a good indication of how the Palestinians will fight (or not fight) terror.

Late Wednesday, security officials ejected six rebels from Abbas' headquarters, where they had sought refuge several years ago after Israel began hunting down fugitives, they said. Arafat had allowed more than 20 fugitives to take refuge in Palestinian Authority headquarters.

Security officials said they had asked the six - all former members of the security forces themselves - to rejoin their units and hand over their weapons or leave the compound. One official said on condition of anonymity that "they were involved in kidnappings, blackmailing, harming people, shooting them."

The men, along with nine other fugitives, then attacked the compound before rampaging through the city, damaging several restaurants, forcing shops to close and screaming threats against Abbas, witnesses and officials said. No injuries were reported.

Abbas responded by ordering the combatants arrested, more troops deployed throughout the city and compensation paid to the businesses that were damaged, security officials said.

An official fumed, "They have crossed the red line. They attacked the presidential headquarters. They are defying the Palestinian Authority and now we have to take harsh steps against them, otherwise they will control the city and spread chaos."

But the security commanders quickly climbed down.

One of the insurgents, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had reached a compromise and agreed to return to their units, though they would not serve inside Abbas' headquarters.

A Palestinian security official confirmed that, adding that the rebels would be demoted one rank. Another official said they could not be arrested, because their colleagues would attack the Palestinian Authority's forces.