Fatah official: Hamas to conduct security crackdown in Gaza

Majed Abu Shamalah warns of expected security campaign in the enclave after raids on homes of various Fatah leaders.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Palestinian troops loyal to Hamas on patrol 521 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian troops loyal to Hamas on patrol 521
(photo credit: REUTERS)
A Fatah official warned of an expected Hamas security campaign in Gaza on its rival faction, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported Saturday.
Ma'an cited Fatah legislator Majed Abu Shamalah's warning after Hamas security forces on Friday morning raided the homes of various Fatah leader in the Gaza Strip.
Shamalah condemned the raid on the home of Khalil Abu Hasna, executive director of the Fatah National Commission for Development and Islamic Solidarity, which he said evaded the sanctity of the holiday of Id al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
According to Ma'an, the Fatah legislator said Hamas may launch a larger-scaled security crackdown after the holiday, which ends on Sunday.
Tensions between the rival Palestinian parties have recently been aggravated by the crisis in Egypt.
While Fatah supports the military coup that toppled the Muslim Brotherhood regime, Hamas has come out in favor of deposed president Mohamed Morsi.
Fatah and Hamas held talks in Cairo in May regarding the formation a unity government, which has not yet manifested into fruition.
Last year, Hamas and Fatah reached an agreement in Doha, Qatar, to form a unity government that would pave the way for new presidential and parliamentary elections. The agreement stipulates that Abbas would serve as prime minister in addition to his job as PA president.
Hamas took over the coastal enclave in 2007 after a brief civil war with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party. Khaled Abu Toameh and Reuters contributed to this report.