Palestine needs time to build, says Gaza strongman

Palestinians need time to “build a new house” following the death of Yasser Arafat, and the key to a ceasefire with Palestinian militants is in Israel’s hands, said Gaza strongman Mohammed Dahlan in an interview published today.

Dahlan, who holds no official position but who commands a loyal following in Gaza, told the Israeli Yediot Ahronot daily that halting four years of violence with Israel will not be the first priority of the post-Arafat leadership.