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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Dahlan refuses to enter Gaza under Hamas |
| 2010-01-19 |
| [Ma'an] Fatah leader and Palestine Legislative Council deputy Muhammad Dahlan has refused to enter Gaza while it remains under Hamas' control, he said on Monday. Dahlan accused the Islamist movement of exploiting his mother's death for political gains by inviting him to participate in her funeral. He would have to make a formal request to enter Gaza with the de facto government and enter in the custody of Hamas. "[I] do not want to provoke events or confrontations, or injury to members of Fatah who may be abused, as was the case during the commemoration ceremony for Yasser Arafat when more than 10 Palestinians were killed and a hundred injured," Dahlan's statement read. "Despite this great sadness that arises from not participating in the funeral, I will not enter Gaza until Palestinian legitimacy is restored." Dahlan thanked the people of Gaza for expressing their condolences for his loss and for those who participated in the funeral. Siriya Dahlan passed away on Sunday in Khan Younis, diagnosed with renal failure six months prior. |
| Posted by:Fred |