Post by Rick Warder on Dec 30, 2005 12:38:01 GMT -5
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - After closing the border to shut out all Palestinians, even legitimate workers with permits, Israeli special forces launched a raid against Fatah offices in Gaza City, in the Gaza Strip. Special forces units surrounded the headquarters of the Fatah Party, breaking down doors by night and seizing several filing cabinets, as well as all computers. This move comes weeks before the Palestinian elections, in which the moderate Fatah Party is contending with the more aggressive Hamas Party, which advocates continued struggle against Israel. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has called the Israeli action a "heinous crime against democracy and against the Palestinian people." Israeli authorities countered that they were attempting to secure classified information about the Fatah Party's support for various prominent resistance fighters. Other analysts believe that the seizure is designed to weaken the Fatah so that the Hamas wins the upcoming election, further radicalizing Palestine and giving Israel an excuse to adopt even harsher repressive measures.