Executive Force Arrested Fatah Men on Charges of 'planning to spread chaos'

7 September 2007

Gaza – Ma'an – The Hamas-affiliated Executive Force has arrested a group affiliated to the so-called "Brigades of the security services, and Brigades of the coup," the spokesperson of the Executive Force, Islam Shahwan asserted Thursday evening. Shahwan said the groups were affiliated to the Fatah movement in the Gaza Strip.

In a press conference held in Gaza city, the Executive Force spokesperson accused the groups of receiving orders from the Ramallah-based Palestinian government to "spread chaos and destruction."

Shahwan also accused the Palestinian government in Ramallah of suspending salaries of more than 90% of the Palestinian national security service members.

Examples of the explosives and grenades, which were seized at Fatah members' homes were displayed by the head of the investigation in Gaza Strip, Abu Isma'il Shamasi. He said, "Hamas and the government in Gaza will not allow that the Strip be transformed into "a new Iraq". Shamasi also harshly criticized Muhammad Dahlan, the Fatah strongman who controlled Gaza before the Hamas takeover, accusing him of funding the groups planing to create chaos in Gaza Strip.