PA intelligence chief: We won’t allow Gaza violence to spread West Bank

Sunday October 21, 2007 13:23 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC&Agencies

The Palestinian Authority’s intelligence chief, Toufic Terawi, on Saturday denounced the recent spate of internal violence in Gaza, and emphasized that the Palestinian Authority would not allow such fighting to spread to the West Bank.

PA's security forces/ archive photo

Speaking to Palestine TV, Terawi affirmed that the while the PA remained committed to halting the dissemination of inter-factional violence, security bodies would allow festivals, celebrations and other various activities throughout the region.

Of Gaza's future, Terawi reiterated his belief that the people of Gaza would eventually revolt agains the Hamas leadership in the coastal region.

Responding to accusations of unlawful arrest and torture in the West Bank by Fatha-allied security forces, Terawi rejected such allegations, arguing that those detained had been held on suspicion of breaking the law rather than political affiliation, and adding that all prisoners were treated well.

Terawi also revealed that security forces arrested one member of the Hamas movement in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem on Saturday night.

Severe clashes between the Hamas-controlled Executive Force and local, Fatah-loyal families near Gaza city have claimed the lives of at least three Palestinians, including one child, in the last week.

ramallah | internal unrest | news report rami at imemc dot org