Abbas quits top Fatah post as group splits over peace talks with Israel

PALESTINIAN Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas resigned from a top post in the Fatah movement last night, a senior Palestinian source said, reflecting a split within the main Palestinian political group over negotiations with Israel.

Mr Abbas stepped down from the Fatah Central Committee, the official said on condition of anonymity.

A blast on Monday night that killed a 65-year-old Israeli woman in her home was the first suicide bombing since leading Palestinian factions announced a ceasefire 10 days ago in keeping with the new “road map” plan for Middle East peace.

A West Bank-based cell of the militant Islamic Jihad said in a statement it sent the bomber to protest at Israel’s refusal to free all but a few hundred of up to 8,000 prisoners.

Islamic Jihad’s Gaza-based leadership said it remained committed to the truce and knew nothing of the claim issued from Jenin after the attack on Monday.

Israel renewed demands that Mr Abbas disband militant groups as outlined in the road map, which that calls for an end to violence and charts reciprocal steps leading to the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005.

Raanan Gissin, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said the suicide attack showed the ceasefire was “not worth the paper it was written on unless the Palestinians dismantle the terrorist infrastructure”.

Fatah, headed by Yasser Arafat, has been in turmoil over declaration of a unilateral ceasefire since last month.

Another top Fatah official said Mr Abbas’ move might be a ploy aimed at forcing recalcitrant Fatah members to agree to the way he is handling contacts with Israel, adding that Mr Abbas was likely to withdraw his resignation.

Mr Abbas has been Mr Arafat’s deputy in Fatah, the largest Palestinian movement, for decades.

Earlier yesterday, Mr Abbas called off a meeting with Mr Sharon, set for todayOK. Palestinian officials cited differences over the issue of Israel’s release of Palestinian prisoners.

When Fatah declared a six-month halt to attacks against Israelis on June 29, it demanded Israel release all of the 6,500 Palestinian prisoners it is holding.

Israel, which was not a party to the truce, agreed to free only a few hundred as a goodwill gesture.

Islamic groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which declared three-month truces, have threatened to renew their attacks unless Israel frees all the prisoners.

In a public appearance last week, Mr Abbas promised families of prisoners that he would work for their release.

Mr Arafat reluctantly appointed Mr Abbas as the Palestinian prime minister in April, giving in to intense international pressure to share power.