(Telegraph-UK) Tim Butcher - Hamas, the radical Palestinian group, won a crucial test of strength with the Palestinian Authority Tuesday when it secured the release of a gunman arrested for allegedly firing rockets at Israel. Hundreds of Hamas loyalists demonstrated on the streets of Gaza City, setting up roadblocks and threatening to kill supporters of Mahmoud Abbas. Within hours the gunman was free. The incident, which underlined the power enjoyed by Hamas, was a significant setback for Abbas's attempt to entrench the rule of law.
2005-05-03 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive