Recap of Gaza events as tension persists in volatile strip
372 views · Published 13 October 2018 · 7:27 · Indexed 8 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(8 Oct 2018) LEADIN: Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says there can be no progress on the diplomatic front until he regains control of Gaza. Attempts to reconcile with Hamas have repeatedly failed, leaving the Palestinians divided between rival governments in the West Bank and Gaza. The Islamic militant group has, since March, initiated protests on a weekly basis. STORYLINE: On 13 March 2018 a roadside bomb struck the convoy of the Palestinian prime minister during a rare visit to the Gaza Strip, causing no serious injuries but throwing an already troubled reconciliation process between rival factions into deeper turmoil. Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah had just arrived from his West Bank headquarters to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new water-treatment plant when the bomb went off. Although there was no claim of responsibility, Palestinian officials accused Gaza militants of trying to assassinate Hamdallah. Gaza's ruling Hamas group denied involvement. The blast took place at a time of deadlock in reconciliation efforts between Hamdallah's Fatah party and Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since ousting Fatah forces in 2007. It also cast a shadow over a special White House meeting where international donor nations were set to discuss the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Hamas, a militant group that opposes Israel's existence, seized control of Gaza from Abbas' forces in 2007. Despite three wars with Israel, an Israeli-Egyptian blockade that has devastated the economy and international isolation, Hamas remains firmly in control. The Islamic militant group has, since March, initiated protests on a weekly basis, demanding an end to an Israeli-Egyptian blockade that has made it increasingly difficult for the group to govern. Hamas accuses Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who governs parts of the West Bank, of thwarting regional efforts to reach a Gaza ceasefire that could ease the closure. At least 148 Palestinians either participating or present at the marches have been killed since the protests began in March, including 33 under the age of 18 years. A Gaza sniper shot dead an Israeli soldier in August. Abbas seeks an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem — areas captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. The two-state solution has widespread international support. But since taking office, President Donald Trump's Mideast team, led by his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, has backed away from the two-state solution. Although the Trump team has refused to reveal details of its plan, the Palestinians fear the US is plotting to impose a "mini state" that would consist of Gaza and only small pieces of the West Bank. Two senior Palestinian officials claimed that Abbas has been working behind the scenes to scuttle UN and Egyptian attempts to forge a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas or to carry out large infrastructure projects that would bring relief to Gaza's beleaguered population. As the officially recognised Palestinian representative, Abbas' government continues to coordinate the movement of goods through Israeli-controlled crossings into Gaza. This has given him the ability to block large-scale projects, even when approved by Israel. On 15 August 2018 Abbas addressed harsh words towards US officials calling them "liars". Israel, which has come under fierce international criticism over Gaza's dire state, has in recent days seized on Abbas' moves, perhaps to deflect attention from its own policies. Additionally Egyptian-brokered talks have ended inconclusively. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/802876da327f4d33a39ecbaeb4d8664d
