The power struggle between radical Hamas and more centrist Fatah in Palestine is set to prolong. The open support of Israel and the West though is a welcome assurance for the beleaguered President Mahmoud Abbas, yet it has potential to make the skirmishes between the rivals in to a full-scale civil war and spill more Palestine blood unless a cautious approach is adopted.
On Tuesday, the Israeli interior ministry confirmed the request made by President Abbas at Sharm el-Sheikh Middle East meet to move the Palestinian forces based in Jordan in to the West Bank to bolster his flagging security set up. The step is viewed as a prelude to the full-scale assault to be launched by Fatah to wrest Gaza from Hamas.
The forces based in Jordan include the deadly Badr Brigade, once the flag bearer of PLO terrorism world over. Its bloody fight against Jordanian administration in the 1980s led to the forcibly evacuation of Arafat and his Government-in-exile from the soil of Jordan. Israel has banned its entry to Palestine because of its alleged links with various terror campaigns against Israelis include the infamous one at the Munich Olympics.
However, Palestine Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, refused to comment on the reports of deploying Badr Brigade. But the Israeli establishment is set to provide arms to Fatah to do more to stop militancy in Palestinian lands. Toying the western line, Abbas had already issued decrees outlawing Palestinians carrying illegal weapons or explosives in PLA controlled areas. But the call was denounced by Hamas and the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades branding it as a move to surrender before Israel.
The Badr brigade is one of the best-trained and best-equipped fighting army among the Palestinians. But its involvement may lead to more violence in the Middle East and peace may elude lives in Palestine for many more years.
Via: Reuters
