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Hamas: Fatah strongman Dahlan collaborated with Israel ahead of Gaza op
A senior Hamas official has accused Fatah strongman Mahmoud Dahlan of collaborating with Israel to carry out Operation Cast Lead, the 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip. The official, identified only as a Hamas leader, told Time magazine that Dahlan - Abbas' former national security adviser - helped Israel ahead of the operation in order to weaken the resistance of the Islamist movement, which seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007. According to the report, Dahlan went to the Egyptian town of El Arish before the operation actually began and dispatched Fatah members into Gaza to help the Israel Defense Forces hunt down Hamas fighters. The Hamas officials reportedly accuse a number of other Fatah activists, aside from Dahlan, for collaborating with the intention of killing off Muslims and bringing their own movement back to power in the Gaza Strip. Tensions between the rival factions have flared again amid Israel's operation in Gaza. According to a Fatah source, Hamas operatives have thus far killed at least 10 Fatah members and wounded hundreds, fearing that Fatah might try to undermine Hamas' rule in the territory. Dozens of suspected collaborators were also arrested, both during and after the offensive. Posted by: Fred 2009-02-09 |
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