At least five Palestinians died late Monday in internal clashes in Gaza Strip, the first casualties from infighting since November, despite a conciliatory speech toward Hamas from President Mahmoud Abbas marking the anniversary of the founding of his Fatah movement.
In the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, clashes erupted between Fatah followers and Hamas security forces. According to the AP, medics said three people were killed, identifying them as two Hamas police officers and a Fatah backer. Another was killed in Gaza City. Later, a Palestinian boy was reported dead. At least 60 people were wounded.
Hamas banned fireworks and the traditional Fatah parades on Jan. 1, calling the gathering in Khan Younis "illegal." Hamas said the two officers were shot by Fatah gunmen on rooftops there. Fatah said Hamas forces raided houses and arrested dozens of Fatah members.
Abbas' speech
In an anniversary speech Monday that lasted almost an hour and a half, Abbas offered to talk to Hamas, which took control of the Gaza Strip in late June.
"There is no way for any party here to be an alternative to the other, and there is no room for terms like coup or military takeover, but only for dialogue, dialogue, dialogue," he said. Abbas called for "a new page, writing in its lines a credible agreement based on partnership, on life, on our homeland and our struggle to liberate it."
Abbas maintained his position that Hamas must restore power in Gaza to an elected government. But he urged reconciliation and called for new elections in a bid to end the suffering the Palestinian people have endured as a result of the takeover.
"I renew my offer for early elections here, as a way out of the hell that was imposed on us," Abbas said Monday.
On his part, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum rejected Abbas' speech. "It is full of incitement and words calling for divisions. There is no new initiative or practical step in this speech that can pave the road to start an immediate dialogue," he said.
Abbas directed some of his comments Monday at Israel. He called on the Israeli government to cease settlement construction and dismantle its separation barrier in the West Bank, saying they "undermine the basis of the independent Palestinian state and block the two-state solution."
He also complained about Israeli army checkpoints in the West Bank. "There are 640 Israeli checkpoints and roadblocks in the West Bank and Israel did not lift or remove any of them," he said. "We are filled with hope that this new year will be our year of victory and independence, that we will see the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," he said.
According to WAFA, Abbas also said the Palestinian National Authority would not cede a single inch of ground in negotiations with Israel over the future of Jerusalem. He vowed he would bring any eventual agreement with Israel to a public referendum so that the Palestinian people would be given the chance to decide the course of their national future.
"This is not the time for empty slogans," said Abbas, "it is time to resolve the core issues based on the view of the international community, time to find a solution for Jerusalem, the settlements, the borders and the Palestinian refugees."
