PA and Hamas clash...

I'm not happy about the deaths, but at some point the Palestinian Authority has to disarm Hamas.

Palestinian Authority police and Hamas group militants clashed in fierce gun battles on Friday morning in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City.

Two men believed to be passers-by were reportedly killed and some 25 were wounded. Earlier that morning PA police wounded six Hamas militants making their way to launch rockets at Israeli targets.

Hundreds of civilians took to the streets to watch the fighting.

Advertisement

Hamas militants set fire to a PA police station, as well as an armored vehicle and three police jeeps. Mortar shelling and rocket fire continued throughout the morning.

Palestinian Interior Minister Nasser Yousef, who is also in charge of the authority's security forces, said PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas gave clear instructions to use any measures necessary, including force, to prevent rocket and mortar fire.

In a press conference held by Hamas Friday morning, the group blamed the PA for complying with Israel's instructions, and said "the men of Iz al-Din al-Qassam (Hamas' military wing) will not give in to attempts to stop rocket fire."

Citing an Hamas statement, Israel Radio said the group also called for the dismissal of Yousef claiming the minister endangers the unity of the Palestinian people. The statement also said that events in Gaza are a crime agains the Palestinian people under the guidance of Yousef.

My guess is that this will be papered over - because Abbas doesn't have the guts to tackle the problem head on.