UN considers troops for Gaza
Security Council in discussions amid fears of civil war between Palestinian factions.
“I need to consider more in detail with the countries concerned,” he said, including where to locate the force and what its mandate would be.
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The European Union would consider participation in the international force in Gaza, although any decisions on deployment were still a long way off, the EU’s foreign policy chief said on Wednesday.
“If we are asked, of course we will consider that possibility,” Javier Solana told reporters in Brussels.
Israel had in the past resisted Palestinian calls for peacekeepers in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, saying their deployment would interfere with Israeli security measures.
But on Tuesday, Olmert said “serious consideration” should be given to deploying an international force in the Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza‘s border with Egypt.
A senior Israeli official added that government experts were exploring what such an international force might look like and what its mandate would entail but the government would only be prepared to accept a force with a strong mandate and sufficient firepower.
He added that Olmert’s comments could lay the groundwork for Israel to retake the corridor itself, should Western powers balk at committing troops.
Relief work suspended
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| Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades fighters forced their way into a pro-Hamas TV station [AFP] |
Meanwhile, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) suspended all operations except emergency medical and food programmes in the Gaza Strip after two Palestinian employees were shot dead.
Christopher Gunness, UNRWA spokesman, said they appeared to have been caught in the crossfire in two separate incidents.
“In view of increased threats to our staff, UNRWA has no choice but to scale back its operations in Gaza with immediate effect,” he said.
In Khan Yunis, the headquarters of the Preventive Security Force loyal to Abbas, leader of Fatah, was “totally destroyed” by an explosion.
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| Hamas pounds Gaza security bases |
Hamas fighters appeared to be gaining the upper hand as the fighting spread to the central and southern parts of the territory on Wednesday.
But the Fatah-dominated National Security Forces were ordered to remain in their positions and “defend the security headquarters with all your might”.
Hamas gaining ground
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Executive Force: Presidential Guards: National Security Forces: Police and Preventive Security: Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades: |
About 40 pro-Fatah officers broke though the border fence at the Rafah crossing, handing over their weapons to Egyptian border officials, a security source said.
In what appeared to be another success for Hamas, hundreds of members of a clan linked with Fatah surrendered in Gaza City, witnesses said.
About 1,000 Palestinians marched through Gaza City on Wednesday urging the rival factions to “stop the killing”.
The demonstration drew gunfire from armed men on nearby buildings killing at least one protester and injuring 14 others. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the shooting.
Nour Odeh, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Gaza, said some of the protesters fought with members of the rival factions on the street.
The fighting also spilled over into the previously calm West Bank as fighters from the Fatah-linked al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades stormed a building in Nablus used by a pro-Hamas television company.
Walid Batrawi, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in the West Bank, said at least 15 people working in the office were abducted and taken to a nearby refugee camp.
“This is an escalation that is alarming in the West Bank if it spreads to other areas,” he said.