Abbas created the Fatah militia, comprised of some 2,500 members, in response to a Hamas militia, headed by Jamal Abu Samhadana, which was deployed in Gaza in May despite Abbas’s strong objections. The Hamas leader has been actively involved in the launch of Kassam rockets on Israel and is linked to the bombing of a US convoy in Gaza in 2003.
Members of the new Fatah militia were garbed in shirts reading "Special Protection Unit" and decorated with a photograph of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as they paraded through the streets of Jenin. Scores of militia members were reported to have been carrying assault rifles and pistols.
Jenin based Fatah leader Ata Abu Rmeileh, said as he rallied the newly formed militia “You are here to protect your people and the Palestinian Authority institutions. We are loyal to our people, not like those who have sold themselves to Arab and non-Arab capitals. "
Fatah military sources claimed that their new militia was formed to counter the Hamas militia in an effort to pressure the Hamas to disband their military component.
Abbas spokesman Nabil Amr, stated on Saturday that the PA President would not enter Gaza unless the Hamas agreed to disband its new militia. In addition, on Saturday afternoon, a top Hamas military wing leader, Abdel Hadi Siyam, was shot in the chest in a drive-by shooting.
Members of the new Fatah militia were garbed in shirts reading "Special Protection Unit" and decorated with a photograph of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as they paraded through the streets of Jenin. Scores of militia members were reported to have been carrying assault rifles and pistols.
Jenin based Fatah leader Ata Abu Rmeileh, said as he rallied the newly formed militia “You are here to protect your people and the Palestinian Authority institutions. We are loyal to our people, not like those who have sold themselves to Arab and non-Arab capitals. "
Fatah military sources claimed that their new militia was formed to counter the Hamas militia in an effort to pressure the Hamas to disband their military component.
Abbas spokesman Nabil Amr, stated on Saturday that the PA President would not enter Gaza unless the Hamas agreed to disband its new militia. In addition, on Saturday afternoon, a top Hamas military wing leader, Abdel Hadi Siyam, was shot in the chest in a drive-by shooting.