HAMAS INTENSIFIES CRACKDOWN ON FATAH IN GAZA;

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002152 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2018 TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PTER PHUM SUBJECT: HAMAS INTENSIFIES CRACKDOWN ON FATAH IN GAZA; CLASHES AT UNIVERSITY IN KHAN YUNIS Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Fatah and PLO officials in Gaza told PolOff by phone November 26 that Hamas has intensified its campaign against Fatah activists, PLO officials, and non-Hamas NGOs, accusing them of "subversive activities." Gaza Governor Muhammad al-Qidwa commented to PolOff that Hamas maintains an iron grip on everything in Gaza and is not interested in compromise. Thirty students were injured on November 25 in interfactional clashes at al-Aqsa University in Khan Yunis. End summary. Governor: Hamas Increases Arrests, Is Not Interested in Compromise -------------- ¶2. (C) Gaza Governor Muhammad al-Qidwa told PolOff by phone November 26 that Hamas has stepped up harassment and arbitrary detention of Fatah leaders and activists in the Gaza Strip. He said Hamas monitors the phones and movements of even low-level Fatah activists, and detains Fatah members for interrogation if they call Ramallah-registered landline or mobile phone numbers. Al-Qidwa, himself jailed by Hamas for six weeks recently, said Hamas maintains an iron grip on Gaza and immediately cracks down on peaceful demonstrations or Fatah political gatherings. He commented that Hamas has no real interest in compromise and only seeks to preserve and expand its control. ¶3. (C) PLO officials in Gaza told PolOff November 26 that they have experienced similar harassment and said their movements are watched and restricted. They said Hamas security forces have prevented them from attending recent PLO meetings in Ramallah. University Clashes in Khan Yunis: 30 Students Injured -------------- ¶4. (U) Fatah student leaders told press that 30 people were injured in clashes at al-Aqsa University in Khan Yunis on November 25, triggered by Hamas-imposed "double-standards in permitting student gatherings for Hamas and Fatah student organizations." Fatah leaders said Hamas security men fired at Fatah demonstrators and joined Hamas students in beating Fatah-affiliated students. Hamas security spokesman Islam al-Shahwan denied that Hamas police fired at students and downplayed the incident as a minor scuffle between female Fatah and Hamas students. The campus closed for the day after the fighting. WALLES