Abbas scorns ‘outlaw’ Hamas

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sharpened the war of words against his Hamas rivals Thursday, saying it was time to “bring down” the militant group’s regime in the Gaza Strip.

Abbas’ comments against Hamas, whose fighters defeated his Fatah faction to take control of Gaza five months ago, reflected his anger over a deadly clash in the coastal enclave this week.

“We have to bring down this bunch which took over the Gaza Strip by force and which is trading on the suffering and misery of our people,” Abbas said in remarks broadcast on the 19th anniversary of the Palestinian declaration of independence. He referred to Hamas, with which he had formed a short-lived joint government before the group’s military triumph in Gaza, as a collection of “outlaw gangs.”

Abbas has previously used harsh language to attack the radical Islamist movement, characterizing its leaders as coup plotters and demanding they give up control of Gaza. But his latest remarks struck a more combative tone.

The Palestinian territories in effect have been split into rival mini-states since June, with Gaza in Hamas’ hands and the West Bank ruled by Abbas and the government he named after firing the Hamas-led Cabinet.

On Monday, Hamas forces fired shots during a large Fatah rally in Gaza City held to commemorate the third anniversary of the death of Yasser Arafat, who co-founded Fatah. At least seven people were killed and dozens were hurt.

Abbas called the gunfire an attack by Hamas; the Islamist movement accused Fatah members of shooting first.

The next day, Fatah said Hamas forces had arrested 400 of its members, targeting those who planned the rally. Hamas officials acknowledged some arrests to preserve public order.

Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader in Gaza fired as prime minister by Abbas in June, said Thursday that a new investigative committee would look into Monday’s clash. He said the violence could have been triggered by troublemakers or police who fired without orders.

“No one can dismantle Hamas,” Haniyeh said in Gaza, without mentioning Abbas’ remarks.

A poll this month found rising support for Fatah among Palestinians and a decline in backing for Hamas since the groups battled in Gaza in June. The poll by the Jerusalem Media & Communication Center, a Palestinian research group, found that 40% of respondents said they trusted Fatah most, up from about 32% in March. Support for Hamas fell to about 20% from 25% in March.

In other developments, an Israeli airstrike against a Palestinian rocket-launching team in northern Gaza killed two militants. An Israeli army spokeswoman said the strike targeted a group armed with several launchers on the way to fire rockets into Israel.

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ellingwood@latimes.com

Special correspondent Abukhater reported from Ramallah and Times staff writer Ellingwood from Jerusalem. Special correspondent Rushdi abu Alouf in Gaza City contributed to this report.