Last Fatah strongholds falls

Last Fatah strongholds falls
By Harvey Morris in Jerusalem
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
Published: June 14 2007 09:00 | Last updated: June 14 2007 18:24


Hamas fighters captured one of the last Fatah strongholds in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, herding prisoners from the headquarters of the Preventive Security Force and raising their flag at the fortified compound.

In southern Gaza, the Fatah stronghold of Rafah on the Egyptian border also fell to Hamas forces after almost a week of factional fighting throughout the coastal strip.

Egyptian mediation efforts Thursday night appeared the only hope of preserving the remnants of a Hamas-Fatah unity deal that led to formation of a power- sharing government in March. Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority’s Fatah president, was delaying a final decision on whether to dismiss the government pending the outcome of mediation efforts.

Hamas rejected proposals on Thursday for an international force to police the Gaza-Egypt border, saying it would amount to occupation.

The European Union announced a temporary halt in its humanitarian projects in Gaza because of the deteriorating security situation. Louis Michel, the European commissioner for development, said: “The Palestinians have already suffered far too much. I strongly urge the warring parties to put away their guns and work together for the good of their people.”