Any trace of Fatah control of Gaza has vanished with the weekend Hamas operation which has forced many Fatah leaders in Gaza to surrender, with dozens taking up position along the security fence, seeking asylum in Israel.

Perhaps even more remarkable is the fact that Israel ordered IDF soldiers into Gaza, under heavy Hamas machinegun fire, to rescue Fatah leaders under Hamas siege in Gaza. The orders came as a result of a request from PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) to Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

According to reports from Sajayieh in eastern Gaza, the fighting was the heaviest ever known in Gaza, reporting thousands and Hamas soldiers from different military factions converged on the last Fatah stronghold, aligned with Ahmed Hilles, a supporting faction of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). It is now abundantly clear to all that Abu Mazen has absolutely no chance of regaining any control in Gaza and his future in Yehuda and Shomron is doubtful as well, as Israel continues forging ahead, yearning to sign an agreement with the all-but-powerless PA leader. Hamas continues to gain in popularity in autonomous areas in Yehuda and Shomron as well and intelligence community officials in Israel have warned of a total Hamas takeover in all areas under PA control.

Hundreds of mortar shells were used along with a number of Kassam rockets and RPG rockets in the weekend Hamas onslaught. A three story structure was targeted and it is unclear what happened to the occupants. Hamas soldiers also used tunnels from the Karnei area to bring in reinforcements.

Israeli media sources are reporting hundreds of Fatah fighters, many family members of the Hilles clan, fled towards Israel with at least 150 crossing into Israel via the Nachal Oz Crossing.

After the political echelon approved the asylum for the fleeing Fatah terrorists, they laid down their weapons and stripped for security searches to ensure they were not armed or human bombs. Soldiers checked the fleeing terrorists, then clearing them to enter into Israel.

Israeli officials are calling the move “humanitarian assistance,” adding in most cases, the fighters were shot in their backs by Hamas soldiers. Most of the fleeing terrorists left their wives and children behind in Gaza.

At least 30 of the Fatah terrorists were wounded, a few seriously, and they are being treated in Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva and Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon.

The IDF has moved troops along the Gaza border to heightened alert status, fearing the fighting will spread to southern Israel. On motzei Shabbos, at least 8 mortar shells were fired, with three landing in southern Israel and the remainder falling short, landing in northern Hamas-controlled Gaza.

Israel is preparing for the possibility of an influx of terrorists from Gaza making their way to the border area fence seeking asylum.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)