Fatah commander resigns over Hamas victory in Gaza

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A top Fatah security commander resigned Friday over his failure to prevent Hamas' takeover of Gaza, Palestinian officials said. Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas accepted the resignation of Rashid Abu Shbak, who headed the Fatah-linked Internal Security organization in Gaza and the West Bank, officials in Abbas' office announced Friday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Long hated by members of Hamas for his role in crackdowns against the Islamic group, Abu Shbak became the target of criticism from his own men after Fatah's forces collapsed in Gaza last week, allowing Hamas to seize full control of the coastal territory.