 Egyptian mediators hammered out an agreement to end a day of clashes in Gaza that killed three and jeopardized a power-sharing agreement between rivals Hamas and Fatah. The Egyptian security delegation stationed in Gaza brought the two sides together and got them to agree to withdraw their forces and exchange captives, spokesmen from Hamas and Fatah said early Monday. Such agreements have never not always been carried out in the past.
The first incident Sunday was a shooting ambush blamed on Hamas that killed a Fatah militant commander and his bodyguard. "Die, you filthy Fatah apostate cur!"
[Blam!]
"Rosebud!" |
In a firefight that followed, "Eat hot Hamas lead, wretched spawn of Shaytan's swineherds!"
[Blammety Blam Blam][reload][Blam Blam Blam][Boom] |
Suleiman Ashi, 26, a reporter for the Hamas-affiliated Palestine Daily, was pulled from a taxi by Fatah gunmen and shot, according to the newspaper. | "Journos are agents of the Oppressors. Learn him a lesson, boyz, learn him real good." |
He died later of his wounds. The Palestinian Journalists Union condemned the killing.| "Hey youse, quit that. Pretty please." |
Ten people were wounded in clashes near the seaside compound of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in downtown Gaza. Gunmen in pickup trucks drove through the streets.| "Yar! Watch our eyes roll most fearsomely!" |
Later, a gunbattle also erupted during the funeral of the Fatah commander, Baha Abu Jarad, and three people were hurt. Fatah gunmen fired in the air during the procession, clamoring for revenge.| Our rights are Legitimate! Our revenge, Dire! Gravity and the trajectories of airborne bullets, Irrelevant! Ow! |
Before the Egyptians stepped in, Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti pleaded with the two sides to bring their forces under control. "Not only the future of the government but the future of all the Palestinian people will be endangered if these bloody acts continue," he warned.| I predict that Allan will soon find Mustafa's lack of faith...disturbing. |
In another incident, masked gunmen abducted a well-known religious scholar from Hamas as he returned from evening prayers at a local mosque in Gaza City, his family and colleagues said. | "Good evening, yer Worshipfulness. Yer coming with us." |
He was released after three hours, Hamas said.His abduction set off a wave of kidnappings by both sides, security officials said. At least 14 people were snatched, a Hamas official said.The new unity government, with Hamas sharing power with Fatah, took office in March. A main goal was to end months of bloody clashes between forces loyal to the two sides. But the new round of violence followed deployment of 3,000 police in Gaza from forces loyal to Abbas, over Hamas objections. |