GAZA CITY
The Gaza Strip's Interior Ministry has said Wednesday's arrest of a leader from the rival Fatah movement had been based on a judicial arrest warrant.
"The arrest of Arafat Abu Shabab at the Rafah crossing took place within the context of his alleged involvement in murder," Gaza Interior Ministry spokesman Eiad al-Bozum said.
In a statement, he added that several Gaza families sought revenge against Abu Shabab.
A new Palestinian technocrat government was unveiled on Monday in line with a reconciliation agreement signed in April between Gaza-based Hamas and West Bank-based Fatah.
The new government is expected to pave the way for Palestinian legislative elections later this year.
Hamas said earlier that the reconciliation deal – and the resultant technocrat government – had nothing to do with security arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza.
Al-Bozum said Hamas was in contact with Fatah with a view to preserving the reconciliation agreement in light of Abu Shabab's recent arrest.
By Ola Attalah
www.aa.com.tr/en
