,Can the Palestinian Authority's Fatah Forces Retake Gaza? Obstacles and Opportunities

Can the Palestinian Authority's Fatah Forces Retake Gaza? Obstacles and Opportunities


 

Publication Date: January 2009

Publisher: Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs

Author(s): Khaled Abu Toameh; Dan Diker

Research Area: Government; International relations; Politics

Keywords: Gaza; hamas; palestinian authority; Israel

Type: Report

Coverage: Israel

Abstract:

It is widely believed that the PA in Ramallah only pays the salaries of civil service employees in Gaza to encourage them to stay at home to avoid working with Hamas. However, PA Prime Minister Fayyad also pays the monthly salaries of between 6,000 and 12,000 Hamas Executive Force operatives in Gaza, in line with the 2007 Mecca national unity agreement, as well as to Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades terrorists. The U.S. must avoid the temptation of once again blindly relying on Fatah as the sole security and reconstruction subcontractor for Gaza.