Hamas, Fatah pursue war of words over detentions

RAMALLAH, West Bank-Hamas warned its Fatah rivals on Tuesday that a crackdown against the Islamist group by forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas could spark a revolt in the occupied West Bank.A senior Palestinian security official in Ramallah dismissed the threats by "irresponsible people".Abbas's security forces have detained at least 150 Hamas supporters in the West Bank in response to a sweep in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas seized nearly 200 Fatah sympathizers after a bomb blast killed five Hamas militants and a girl on Friday.Hamas blamed the bombing on Fatah, which denies involvement.In Gaza City, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the crackdown in the West Bank could trigger a revolt."This will only lead to a new uprising against the (Israeli) occupation and its security agents," he said in a mocking reference to Abbas's Palestinian Authority forces.Hamas often taunts Abbas and Fatah for their commitment to U.S.-sponsored peace talks with Israel, which controls the West Bank, while allowing a role for Palestinian security forces."Now the Zionists (Israelis) are protecting you," Hamas said in a separate statement addressed to security forces in the West Bank. "You know that once the protection of the Zionists is over, people will enter your headquarters and kick you out."
To read more go to:
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL928541720080729
As in the days of Noah...