Time To ‘Bring Down’ Hamas, Abbas Says
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RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, sharpened the war of words against his Hamas rivals yesterday, saying it was time to “bring down” the militant group’s regime in the Gaza Strip. Mr. Abbas’s comments against Hamas, whose fighters defeated his Fatah faction to take control of Gaza five months ago, reflected his anger over a deadly clash in the coastal enclave earlier this week. “We have to bring down this bunch which took over the Gaza Strip by force and which is trading on the suffering and misery of our people,” Mr. Abbas said in broadcast remarks marking the 19th anniversary of the Palestinian declaration of independence. He referred to Hamas, with which he formed a short-lived joint government earlier this year, as “outlaw gangs.”
Mr. Abbas previously has used harsh language to attack the radical Islamist movement, characterizing its leaders as coup plotters and demanding they give up their control over Gaza. But his latest remarks struck a more combative tone.
The Palestinian territories in effect have been split into rival mini-states since June, with Gaza in Hamas’s hands and the West Bank ruled by Mr. Abbas and the government he named after firing the Hamas-led Cabinet.
Monday, Hamas forces fired shots during a large Fatah rally held to commemorate the third anniversary of the death of Yasser Arafat. At least seven people were killed and dozens hurt in the melee that occurred.
Mr. Abbas called the gunfire an attack by Hamas; the Islamist movement accused Fatah members of shooting first.
The next day, Fatah said Hamas forces had arrested 400 of its members, targeting those involved in planning the rally. Hamas officials acknowledged making some arrests but said authorities were acting to preserve public order.
Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader in Gaza who was fired as prime minister by Abbas in June, said yesterday that a new investigative committee would look into Monday’s clash. He said the violence might have been triggered by troublemakers or police who fired without orders.
“No one can dismantle Hamas,” Mr. Haniyeh said in Gaza, without mentioning Mr. Abbas’s remarks.
