Islamic Jihad 'severs ties' with Hamas

Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) has severed contacts with Hamas, after one of its members was attacked at the funeral of a commander who died of wounds sustained in a police shooting. Sources told Arab Today that militant leader Mohammed al-Harazen suffered several injuries when he was run over by a 4x4 vehicle during the funeral of Raed Qassim Jundeyeih on Sunday. Jundeyeih, a commander of the al-Quds Brigades, died from his wounds on Sunday, after being shot by Hamas police officers during an exchange of fire on Saturday evening. Sources claimed that Hamas and PIJ officials were involved in intense negotiations at al-Harazen's home after the attack on Jundeyeih, but PIJ has now cut all ties with Hamas following the incident at the commander's funeral. Speaking after the shooting, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that his movement's ties with Islamic Jihad would remain strong, and that talks to resolve disputes are ongoing. In a statement issued by the Gazan authority, Abu Zuhri disclosed that a committee had been formed to investigate the shooting of Jundeyeih. The committee includes representatives from both Hamas and PIJ, along with Jundeyeih's family members. Ibrahim Salah, a spokesman for Hamas' Interior Ministry said that the committee would be chaired by Palestinian MP Marwan Abu Ras. He thanked all parties for remaining calm in tough circumstances, and promised that the ministry would implement the committee's recommendations as soon as possible. Islamic Jihad claims to have 8000 fighters in its military wing, making it the second largest armed group in Gaza behind only Hamas itself. Unlike smaller Salafist factions, Islamic Jihad has respected the Egypt-brokered truce between Hamas and Israel that ended eight days of deadly conflict last November.