Palestinian security force crisis continues to deepen

Published 9:00 pm Friday, April 21, 2006

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday vetoed Hamas’ plan to set up a security force of 4,000 militants, but Hamas insisted it would go ahead anyway, deepening the bitterest clash yet between the Islamic group and the moderate Palestinian leader.

Hamas, which ousted Abbas’ Fatah Party from power in January parliamentary elections, had spoken in the past of incorporating militants into the Fatah-dominated Palestinian security forces.

But the concept of a shadow security force headed by the No. 2 fugitive on Israel’s most-wanted list appeared to go too far for Abbas, who favors talks with Israel and is trying to keep the West from shunning the Palestinians because of Hamas’ violently anti-Israel ideology.

The new force, to be based in chaotic Gaza, is to have about 4,000 members, or nearly one-fourth the size of the 18,000-member armed security contingent in the coastal strip.

Egypt, meanwhile, invited interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for an official visit even before he has put together his government, signaling it was eager to do business with a man keen to draw Israel’s final borders with the Palestinians within the next four years.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak extended the invitation in a telephone call to Olmert, and a date for the visit is to be set next week, aides to the Israeli leader said. Israeli and Egyptian leaders have not met since February 2005.

Hamas’ proposed security force would draw members from various militant factions. The force would be headed by Jamal Abu Samhadana, 43, a founder of the Popular Resistance Committees, which blew up three Israeli tanks in 2002 and 2003, killing seven Israeli soldiers. The group is also suspected of a deadly bombing attack on a U.S. diplomatic convoy in Gaza in 2003.

Abu Samhadana, who refused to discuss Abbas’ decree, said he would continue his resistance despite his appointment to head the militant forces.

“There is no contradiction between the appointment and resistance,” he said. “I am a fighter who is protecting the homeland.”

Meanwhile, a senior Israeli military commander said Israel is preparing for a possible invasion of Gaza.

“If the price we have to pay becomes unreasonable as a result of increased attacks, then we shall have to take all steps, including occupying the Gaza Strip,” Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant, head of Israel’s southern command, told the Maariv daily.

He said the plans have been approved by senior officials, including Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz.