11th hour talks may avert showdown

Dubai: The political struggle between Hamas and Fatah is expected to veer towards an armed conflict in the absence of initiatives and mediation efforts by Palestinians and external parties, Palestinian political analysts say.

While some describe the present situation between the two groups as arm-wrestling, after the talks between the two failed in any agreement, many analysts expressed their belief that that current tension between the two groups revolves around authority and "who has the final say", more than around a "real essential dispute".

"I believe that if things were to be left to both Hamas and Fatah, [then] they are moving toward a confrontation," said Nader Al Saeed, sociology professor at Beir Zeit University in the West Bank, in an interview to Gulf News.

"There has to be room for Palestinian initiatives. People are smart," he added, explaining that polls throughout the past 13 years have shown fluctuation in the people's support to certain figures and policies that could range from 75 per cent to 20 per cent or even less.

According to poll published by Beir Zeit University on Tuesday, nearly 77 per cent of Palestinians support what is known as "prisoners' document", which later became the heart of the referendum challenge between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who belongs to Fatah, and Hamas, which achieved a stunning victory in last January's elections.

Both parties agreed on all articles of the document, with the exception of two. They are related to the Palestine Liberation Organisation being considered the sole representative of the Palestinian people, and the other one on creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel on land occupied 39 years ago.

Hamas does not recognise Israel. Because of its stance, donor countries have used aid as a pressure tactic against the movement after it came to power.

At the same time, Abbas has warned that he will take the issue to the people to decide their future political strategy.

However, after the talks between the two failed last Monday in agreeing on the document, Abbas extended the deadline for Hamas to agree. Egypt mediated to ease tension.

Yesterday, his spokesman said he will issue a decree on Saturday calling for a referendum on a statehood proposal.

"The referendum is not a solution, it is a entrance to strife, confusion and tension among the Palestinian people," Musheer Al Masri, a Hamas spokesperson told Gulf News from Gaza. "Dialogue is [our] strategic option," he said, adding that the referendum is not "legal".

However, Fatah officials have announced that holding the referendum is an exit to the boycott status imposed by the donors, a move rejected by Hamas.

The referendum's substitute, is "fighting, and we refuse to fight as Palestinian blood is sacred," Abbas Zaki, foreign relations commissioner at Fatah, told Gulf News.

Already at least 16 Palestinians have been killed in fighting involving gunmen from both groups since early May.

Palestinian journalist Khalil Assali said, "We have all forgotten the third player in the game, who is the most important one: Israel".

Israel is going ahead with its plans in expanding its existing colonies, said Assali. "Some say that once Hamas and Fatah overcome their differences, they won't find anything left to negotiate with Israel."

Air strike: Three generations of a family destroyed

What began as a joyful family trip in a new car came to a devastating end when an Israeli missile, aimed at a Palestinian militant, hit the vehicle as it drove through Gaza.

Three generations a grandmother, mother and son were killed, and a four-year-old daughter and uncle lay paralysed in Israeli hospitals. In an unusual gesture, Israel yesterday agreed to pay the medical bills, but with the exception of another uncle, the family has been barred from visiting the hospitals.

The paralysed girl's father, 28-year-old Hamdi Ameen, can give only long-distance comfort, with the uncle holding a phone to her ear.

On May 20, Israeli warplanes fired missiles at a car in Gaza City, killing Mohammad Dadouh, the top military commander of Islamic Jihad.

It was a missile fired moments earlier that shattered the lives of the Ameen family.

Hamdi Ameen was sitting in the back seat of his uncle's new car, his wife and mother squeezed next to him. His two-year-old son, Moeman, was perched between his legs while four-year-old daughter Maria danced to the car's radio between the two front seats.

Suddenly, a boom shook the car. At first, Ameen thought it was a flat tyre. Then he saw the blood.

"I got out of the car. There was no one in the streets. It was me, the car, and my family," Ameen said, recalling his desperate screams for help.

Then another car blew up down the street, and Ameen realised it was an Israeli missile strike. The second explosion killed Dadouh.

- AP