Abbas poised for showdown with militants

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will confront leaders of Gaza militant groups today, demanding they observe the ceasefire with Israel.

Abbas’ tough stance on militant violence comes after he sacked his top security commanders for failing to prevent rockets and mortars being fired at Jewish settlements.

Among senior officers to lose their jobs yesterday were the top two commanders, Brig Gen Abdel Razek Majaidie, chief of public security, and police chief Saeb al-Ajed, security officials said, a clear sign that Abbas is serious about enforcing the two-day-old truce.

Today, Abbas will talk to leaders of militant groups in Gaza. Cabinet secretary Hassan Abu Libdeh said Abbas would “inform them that there is only one Palestinian Authority and one leadership, and (he) will not accept any measures that can subject our national project to dangers”.

“The Palestinian Authority will not tolerate any actions that will sabotage the agreement reached with Israelis on a mutual ceasefire,” Abu Libdeh added.

Despite the renewed tension, Palestinian and Israeli officers met last night at a Gaza crossing point to discuss co-operation. Israel Radio reported that the Israelis demanded a halt to the mortar and rocket fire, and the Palestinians spelled out their security plans.

Hamas claimed responsibility for salvos – 30 mortars and 26 rockets, one of the biggest barrages in four years of violence – aimed at two settlements in southern Gaza, Neve Dekalim and Gedid. The military said there were no casualties. Israeli TV stations showed video footage of minor damage to some houses.

Hamas said the barrage was retaliation for the death of two Palestinians on Wednesday. One blew himself up with a bomb he was apparently trying to plant, and the other was shot dead by soldiers as he approached a settlement.

Also yesterday, armed Palestinian stormed the main Palestinian Authority jail in Gaza and killed three prisoners, part of a clan feud, enraging Abbas.

“These are very dangerous developments, and they violate the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority,” Abu Libdeh said. “No one can continue with these violations.”

Israel, which has linked further progress in peace talks to Abbas’ ability to control militants, called for an immediate end to the violence.

Sharon’s office called Egyptian, American and Palestinian officials yesterday to express concern, and defence minister Shaul Mofaz warned: “If the Palestinians don’t know how to deal with it, we shall do it.”

Sharon and Abbas declared an end to all violence and military operations at a summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Tuesday, in the presence of the president of Egypt and king of Jordan, after four years of bloodshed.

Abbas says all the Palestinian groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have signed up to the truce, but leaders of the two, responsible for dozens of suicide bombings that have killed hundreds of Israelis, deny that.

Up to now, Abbas has insisted he will not confront the militant groups and disarm them, as Israel and the internationally-backed “road map” peace plan demand, preferring negotiations. However, he hinted that his patience had limits.

In a statement accusing Hamas of breaking the truce, the central committee of Abbas’ Fatah movement declared: “We are still committed to language of dialogue, but at the same time, we warn against continuation of these irresponsible actions.”

Abu Libdeh said Abbas took “punitive measures against officers who did not undertake their responsibilities, which led to the latest developments in Gaza”. According to a statement from the Palestinian news agency, nine officers were dismissed.