Palestinians show renewed consensus after Gaza killings

Source: FT.com, 9-11-2006
Palestinian groups on Thursday resumed talks on a national unity government, showing renewed consensus as tens of thousands joined a mass funeral for the 18 civilians killed by "Israeli" shelling in the Gaza Strip a day earlier.
Palestinian officials said the violence of the past week was unlikely to derail talks between Hamas and Fatah on forming a new government and that a deal was close after months of so far inconclusive negotiations.
A sticking point appeared to be disagreement within the factions over who would take over the role as prime minister. Ismail Haniya of Hamas has made it known that he would stand down from the position to help end the international economic siege imposed on the occupied territories since the Islamic movement won elections and took over the Palestinian Authority.
Fatah's Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian president, on Thursday spoke for the first time in months with Khaled Meshal, the exiled leader of Hamas, which had briefly suspended talks in protest against Wednesday's "Israeli" artillery barrage.
"The phone call reflects the positive spirit prevailing in Gaza in an attempt to reach formation of a new unity government," said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a presidential aide. "We hope to realise progress very fast."
In Beit Hanoun, where a stream of Palestinian officials headed for a mourning tent for the 18 victims, there was widespread rejection of "Israel's" claim that the shelling was accidental.
Residents had barely begun clearing the rubble and repairing shattered power lines left after a week-long "Israeli" invasion when the shells struck early on Wednesday.
Foreign leaders had previously expressed concern at a week-long "Israeli" invasion of Beit Hanoun that ended on Tuesday in which more than 50 Palestinians were killed.
Hamdi Shaqura of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said his organisation was keeping an open mind about the shelling but he had no faith in the "Israeli" military or judiciary system delivering an accurate account. He said an international inquiry should be established.
He said the incidents fell into a pattern of "Israeli" actions, particularly since the abduction by Palestinian militants of Corporal Gilad Shalit, an "Israeli" soldier, on June 25. "There is a pattern of ongoing slaughter of the Palestinian people since that day," he said.
The "Israeli" army claimed the killings were probably caused by artillery rounds overshooting their target - Palestinian rocket launchers aimed at "Israel" - either as a result of malfunction or human error. Amir Peretz, "Israeli" defence (War) minister, ordered a halt of artillery fire while an investigation was underway.
Palestinians say the incident may have caused the single biggest civilian death toll since a Zionist gunman shot dead 29 Palestinians in a Hebron (al-Khalil) mosque in 1994. Palestinian leaders declared a three-day mourning period. In Jerusalem (al-Quds), "Israeli" police said they used stun grenades to disperse protesting Palestinian students.
Gross domestic product in the Palestinian economy was expected to contract by at least 15 per cent this year, George Abed, head of the Palestine Monetary Authority, told Reuters. "Without a political solution that lifts the siege, there is no way that the Palestinian economy can recover," he said.
The international community, led by the US, says it will only deal with a Palestinian government that recognizes "Israel" and renounces violence.