Can the Palestinian Authority’s Fatah Forces Retake Gaza?
The Jerusalem Viewpoints series is published by the Institute for Contemporary Affairs, founded jointly with the Wechsler Family Foundation. No. 569 January-February 2009 Can the Palestinian Authority’s Fatah Forces Retake Gaza? Obstacles and Opportunities Dan Diker and Khaled Abu Toameh • Israel’s recent military operation in Gaza has raised the issue of the possible return of Fatah to Gaza. However, a previous U.S.-funded and armed Fatah security regime in Gaza had entirely failed. In fact, the PA in the West Bank has offered safe haven to terror groups, and the PA Interior Ministry pays monthly salaries to Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades terrorists. • Today, some PA forces are far more professional, having been equipped and trained by U.S. security officials in Jordan. However, these forces are still in their infancy. They have less than one year’s experience, number fewer than 1,500 men, and lack a central command structure. • It is widely believed that the P
