Hamas appropriated aid sent to Gaza, left Fatah members in jail without food or water
From an interview with Fatah Revolutionary Council member Faisal Abu Shahla
“Q: ’Is it true that Hamas appropriated the aid provided to Gaza by West Bank residents?’
[Fatah Revolutionary Council member Faisal Abu Shahla]: Frankly, a decision had been made to set up a situation room in Gaza… to attend to all the issues relating to the receipt and distribution of aid, but we were surprised by the refusal of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad – which conditioned its agreement on that of Hamas. Hamas convened a forum of 27 [of its members], which decided everything based on the so-called ‘shadow government,’ ignoring the role of the relevant government ministries… In addition, they appropriated the aid collected in the West Bank which was to be transferred to Gaza, as part of their maintaining of the rift [between Fatah and Hamas] – even in the shadow of the [Israeli] aggression.’
Q: ‘Several Fatah military wings acted against the [Israeli] aggression under various names. What do you think was the reason for this?’
[Faisal Abu Shahla]: “Fatah is in the Gaza Strip… Since its establishment, it has supported popular resistance, as well as armed resistance to end the [Palestinian- Israeli] conflict. Many members of the movement [still] adhere to the armed struggle, and participate [in the struggle] everywhere…’
Q: ’Is it true that the Hamas [security] forces withheld food from Fatah prisoners?’
[Abu Shahla]: ’The Hamas forces left the Fatah political prisoners, 16 at most, in jail. They evacuated their security headquarters, but left the Fatah members in jail without food or water. Their relatives risked their lives to transfer the things they needed, under aerial attack and tank bombardment. Therefore, during the [Israeli] aggression, I personally asked the Freedom Council of the National and Islamic forces to release the Fatah prisoners, but Hamas did not agree.’”
Note: This article was published shortly after a ceasefire was reached between Israel and Hamas, concluding the 2014 Gaza war.
“Q: ’Is it true that Hamas appropriated the aid provided to Gaza by West Bank residents?’
[Fatah Revolutionary Council member Faisal Abu Shahla]: Frankly, a decision had been made to set up a situation room in Gaza… to attend to all the issues relating to the receipt and distribution of aid, but we were surprised by the refusal of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad – which conditioned its agreement on that of Hamas. Hamas convened a forum of 27 [of its members], which decided everything based on the so-called ‘shadow government,’ ignoring the role of the relevant government ministries… In addition, they appropriated the aid collected in the West Bank which was to be transferred to Gaza, as part of their maintaining of the rift [between Fatah and Hamas] – even in the shadow of the [Israeli] aggression.’
Q: ‘Several Fatah military wings acted against the [Israeli] aggression under various names. What do you think was the reason for this?’
[Faisal Abu Shahla]: “Fatah is in the Gaza Strip… Since its establishment, it has supported popular resistance, as well as armed resistance to end the [Palestinian- Israeli] conflict. Many members of the movement [still] adhere to the armed struggle, and participate [in the struggle] everywhere…’
Q: ’Is it true that the Hamas [security] forces withheld food from Fatah prisoners?’
[Abu Shahla]: ’The Hamas forces left the Fatah political prisoners, 16 at most, in jail. They evacuated their security headquarters, but left the Fatah members in jail without food or water. Their relatives risked their lives to transfer the things they needed, under aerial attack and tank bombardment. Therefore, during the [Israeli] aggression, I personally asked the Freedom Council of the National and Islamic forces to release the Fatah prisoners, but Hamas did not agree.’”
Note: This article was published shortly after a ceasefire was reached between Israel and Hamas, concluding the 2014 Gaza war.