Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Fatah militants who arrived in Israel after fleeing fierce fighting with Hamas will go to the PNA-controlled West Bank. The announcement followed discussions overnight Sunday between Israeli Defence Ministry officials and the office of Palestinian Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas.
Clashes broke out between Hamas agents and pro-Fatah elements from the Ahmed Hilles clan when Hamas-controlled Gaza police tried to arrest a member of the Hilles family accused of masterminding a bomb attack that killed five Hamas men and a girl on 25 July.
Of the 188 Fatah members who entered Israel, 35 were sent back to Gaza on Sunday at the request of Abbas, who had initially asked Israel to treat the wounded and only facilitate the transfer to Ramallah of five members of the Hilles clan.
The first group of 35 Fatah supporters was sent back to Gaza on Sunday and they were immediately arrested by Hamas.
“Those who are accused of breaking the law will be investigated and if found to be guilty they will be brought to justice,” a Hamas spokesman told AFP; however, the decision of the Fatah supporters to flee "confirms these people are breaking the law, because they prefer to surrender themselves to the (Israeli) occupation than to stay in their homes,” he also said.
Arrests and such statements forced Abbas to ask Israel to stop sending back Fatah militants to Gaza and allow them instead to take refuge in Ramallah.
The Arab League reacted with harsh words to the event, calling on the parties to end a fight that is having destructive consequences for the Palestinian cause.
King Abdullah of Jordan reacted with similar views.