Hamas's spokesman: Fatah's statements reveal ' bad intentions'

Sunday September 28, 2008 20:44 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC & Agencies

Spokesman of the ruling Hamas party in Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri, considered the latest statements by leaders of the rival Fatah party as an indication of Fatah's 'bad intentions' regarding national dialogue.

Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri

"Such remarks show Fatah's outright acknowledgment of their plan to take Gaza back by military force. They also reflect Fatah's perspective towards the upcoming elections. Therefore, Hamas casts doubts over proposed early elections," Abu Zuhri explained .

Abu Zuhri's comments came after media reports stated that Fatah's secretary in Gaza Ahmad Helles discussed possible repossesion of Gaza through ballots or through ammunition boxes. Helles escaped fighting between Hamas-led police forces and members of his own Fatah-allied clan in late July. Hamas is therefore convinced that Fatah is not serious about dialogue.

Also, Azzam Al-Ahmad, head of Fatah's parliamentary bloc had told the London-based Arabic newspaper Alhayat that the American veto hampers inter-Palestinian dialogue.

The Hamas spokesman commented on Alahmad's remarks by saying "Alahmad's statement affirms Fatah's responsibility for a deadlocked dialogue, simply because it lies under the U.S influence."

Hamas and Fatah have been butting heads since 2006 when the Islamist Hamas took power during parliamentary elections that year.

In June 2007, Hamas seized control of Gaza amidst factional fighting with the Western-backed Fatah party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas outlawed Hamas then, ordered a boycott of the party and formed a caretaker government in the West Bank.

The rival Fatah and Hamas parties are set to hold talks with Egyptian mediators in Cairo in October, in the framework of Egypt's efforts underway to end internal Palestinian divisions.

gaza strip | palestinian politics | news report rami at imemc dot org