PA says it stopped Hamas attempt to kill Dahlan

Source claims Hamas gunman who was later arrested byPA security forces admitted he and his friends planned to assassinate Dahlan.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
dahlan voting 298.88 (photo credit: AP)
dahlan voting 298.88
(photo credit: AP)
Palestinian Authority security forces in the Gaza Strip recently managed to foil an attempt by Hamas members to assassinate former PA security minister and Fatah legislator Muhammed Dahlan, Fatah activists said Wednesday. The activists, who did not say when the alleged attempt took place, claimed that the forces discovered a large roadside bomb that had been planted along the route used by Dahlan's motorcade outside his hometown of Khan Yunis. They said the bomb was discovered after PA security agents noticed that a Hamas activist at the scene was behaving suspiciously. PA policemen and explosives experts who later combed the area discovered the bomb and detonated it safely. The Hamas suspect managed to flee the scene. According to the activists, the PA security forces came under fire from Hamas gunmen while they were trying to detonate the bomb. "It was a huge bomb that would have caused heavy damage," said a PA security source. "We have no doubt that the bomb was intended to kill Dahlan, who passes from this road at least twice a day." The source claimed that a Hamas gunman who was later arrested by the PA security forces admitted that he and his friends were planning to assassinate Dahlan. He added that the bomb identical to those used only by Hamas cells in the Gaza Strip. Earlier this month, Hamas accused Dahlan of being behind the failed assassination attempt on PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. Haniyeh's convoy came under attack shortly after he crossed the Rafah border crossing. One of his bodyguards was killed in the attack. Dahlan has strongly denied the charges, but his aides have since expressed fear for his life. PA negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Hamas allegations were tantamount to a death verdict against Dahlan and warned against political assassinations.