Egypt proposes stationing troops in Gaza Strip to stop clashes
www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/LSGZ-6Q3CD5?OpenDocument

[IMRA: No comment was available from either the Israeli ministry of defense
or ministry of foreign affairs to the proposal when IMRA contacted them on
23 May]

Gaza(dpa - Deutsche Presse Agentur ) 23 May 2006 Egypt has suggested
stationing Egyptian troops in the Gaza Strip to keep order between the Hamas
and Fatah factions whose rivalry has led to violent - and sometimes lethal -
clashes, sources in both movements said.

The proposal, put forward by an Egyptian mediator, was initially rejected by
both Hamas and Fatah, but on Tuesday officials from both sides were reported
to be examining the offer.

Hamas-Fatah tensions have steadily risen since the former replaced the
latter as the Palestinian ruling party following the January 25 elections.

A gunfight Monday between rival security forces loyal to each movement
resulted in the death of the personal driver of the Jordanian ambassador to
the Palestinian Authority, and left nine Palestinian policemen wounded.

A gunman of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah's semi-official armed wing,
was killed some hours before in a gunfight with members of the Hamas-led
"Aiding Force" near the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis.