Wednesday, January 24, 2007

HOLY LAND: PALESTINIAN SQUATTERS RESUME INTERNECINE FIGHTING

Inter-Palestinian Fighting Resumes In Gaza
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent

Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - The leading Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas resumed their deadly power struggle on the streets of Gaza on Wednesday, a day after representatives of both groups met in a further bid to forge a national unity government.

Dozens have been killed and many more wounded in a conflict that has been dragging on for months over Hamas' refusal to moderate its views and share power in line with international demands. Only be doing so can the Hamas-led government bring an end to crushing economic sanctions on the Palestinians.

But compliance means violating the Hamas charter by recognizing Israel's right to exist, something the Islamic group is unwilling to countenance.

Palestinian President and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas met with overall Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in Damascus at the weekend in what was described as a last ditch effort to end the fighting. Though no formal agreement was reached, Abbas signaled that the meeting was "fruitful," and announced he would continue working with Hamas to reach a resolution.

Going into Tuesday's meetings, Abbas offered to drop his support for the international community's demand that Hamas explicitly recognize Israel's right to exist, reported Ynet.

But even that concession did not appear to be enough to calm the tension that has been building for months.

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Pertinent Links:

1) Inter-Palestinian Fighting Resumes In Gaza

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