Fatah calls for protection in Gaza Strip

Fatah leader Ashraf Gomaa has warned about the safety of faction officials and members living in the Gaza Strip, after a spate of IED explosions in Rafah. Bombings have targeted leading Fatah members in the Palestinian territory, including Monzer al-Bardawil, Fatah secretary-general in the Egyptian-Palestinian border town. Gaza’s Hamas-led Palestinian government must provide better security for its inhabitants, Gomaa said in a statement, while perpetrators of attacks must be prosecuted. “We want to protect our members and leadership in the Gaza Strip, otherwise we will be forced to protect groups to protect us,” he added. Gomaa has even warned of a potential confrontation with Hamas if the violence continues. Earlier this week a car bomb targeted Monzer al-Bardawil’s vehicle, although he was not in it. There were no casualties but nearby buildings sustained damage. In response Fatah supporters set Hamas leader Mahmoud Hussein’s car on fire. “We know perfectly well who uses these kinds of improvised devices,” Gomaa said without elaborating. No arrests were made following the attack.