Hamas pledges to pacify 'chaotic' Gaza Strip
The Palestinian interior minister, Said Siyam of Hamas, pledged that the new government will pacify the chaotic Gaza Strip after a weekend of deadly violence between rival groups, but he appealed for patience.
Siyam indicated yesterday that it might take as long as a year to bring the Gaza chaos under control, admitting that the people have been relying on their families for protection because of the perceived ineffectiveness of Palestinian security forces.
Also yesterday, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh criticised the US for restricting diplomatic ties with the Hamas government, saying his people were being punished for electing the militant Islamic group.
Hamas’ first few days in power have seen a rocky combination of international pressure and deadly domestic violence. Over the weekend, four people were killed and 36 wounded in unrest, starting with the killing of a top militant with ties to Hamas. Haniyeh’s appeal for calm and an end to public displays of weapons was rejected by a Gaza Strip strongman, raising the risk of more factional violence.
The dead militant’s followers accused the rival Fatah of killing him in a car bombing. But Samir Masharawi, a senior member of Fatah and one of the most powerful figures in Gaza, said he was offended by the “baseless” allegations and said he would not be able to persuade his followers to hide their arms.
“It seems that the brothers in Hamas forget that they are in power and represent a Palestinian government and are responsible for defending security institutions,” he said.
As he spoke, dozens of bodyguards fired repeatedly in the air.
Talking to reporters yesterday, Siyam, whose interior ministry is in charge of some of the security forces, said they would end the chaos, but he appealed to his people for patience. “Let them bear with us for a year,” he said.
“We don’t have a magic wand,” Siyam cautioned. “I will meet with factions as well as leaders of military wings, to put everyone before their responsibilities,” he said, pledging to arrest and try people who violate the law. He said once the security forces make their presence felt and enforce the law, “people will be comfortable” with the police and will not depend on their clans for protection and revenge.
Gaza has been plagued by lawlessness in recent months, with gunmen roaming the streets with impunity. Many have ties to Fatah, which dominated Palestinian politics for four decades before Hamas trounced it in parliamentary elections in January.
The Palestinian government is also facing problems with the international community, which is threatening to cut off vital assistance because Hamas refuses to recognise Israel and renounce violence.
Haniyeh charged that the US is violating its own principles of democracy by ostracising the new Hamas-led government.
“This government was elected in a free and honest election, and according to the democratic principles the American administration is calling for,” Haniyeh told a group of supporters who had come to his office to wish his new government well.
“We believe this is a punishment of the Palestinian people because of its democratic choice, and at the same time, it increases the people’s suffering,” he said.
The Palestinian Authority has received about 1 billion dollars a year in foreign aid, much of which is now in jeopardy. The government is already having trouble making its monthly payroll.
