Fatah accuses Hamas of using its men as 'human shields'

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3490250,00.html

Fatah claims Hamas scattered Fatah detainees amongst its outposts in Gaza, left them there even when Israeli strikes began. The Fatah movement on Thursday accused Hamas of using seized Fatah operatives as "human shields" in the face of Israeli attacks in Gaza. Three civilians said to be among Palestinians killed in IDF strikes in Gaza after terror groups fired a long-range rocket towards Ashkelon. Army accuses militants of intentionally basing themselves in civilian areas Full Story

This after a Fatah operative being held in a Hamas structure was killed in an IDF strike. The operative was arrested on Wednesday after returning to the Strip from Egypt through the Rafah border crossing.

At the center of the current turmoil between factions is Abdullah Kishta, a 27-year-old Fatah operative, which Fatah claims was wanted by both the IDF and Hamas. Kishta fled Gaza after Hamas' takeover in June of last year, and took advantage of the return of some 2,000 Palestinian pilgrims to the Strip by hiding amongst them and infiltrating from Egypt. However, Hamas men who had anticipated infiltration attempts by wanted Fatah men located Kishta in the crowd and arrested him upon his entry to the Strip.

Kishta was arrested along with about seven additional Fatah operatives, who were scattered amongst various Hamas facilities throughout the Strip. He himself was transferred into custody in Hamas' outpost in Tel Sultan, and killed in an IDF attack in the area.

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It now appears one reason Hamas insisted that the pilgrims return through Rafah was so they they could find some of the Fatah men they were looking for. In otherwords, they wanted to arrest Fatah militants rather than allow Israel to arrest them or possibly even arrest Hamas militants coming through an Israeli controlled crossing. There were several stories in the news about the likelihood that the pilgrimage was a great opportunity for militants to get some al Queada training and attend rocket-making classes.

I wouldn't be surprised if Israel knew what was happening by watching from drones. Makes sense.

A human shield would not seem to be very useful unless it's presence was known.