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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 13:31 31/12/2007 Dozens of Fatah supporters stage mass break-out from Rafah camp By The Associated Press Tags: Hamas, Gaza Strip, Fatah Dozens of Palestinian security men affiliated to Fatah staged a mass break-out on Tuesday from the camp where they have been held in the Egyptian town of Rafah, security sources said. Around 130 men from various Fatah security groups have been held in Egyptian police custody since they crossed the border from the Gaza Strip in June, fleeing in the aftermath of rival Hamas' seizure of the territory. Advertisement The men have been held in police camps in the towns of Arish and Rafah. Around 60 of the Fatah loyalists managed to escape from the camps at dawn on Tuesday, but Egyptian police were able to recapture 40 of them, transferring them to police stations in the coastal town of Arish, according to security sources. The sources added that police were searching for the remaining escapees. Egypt granted around 23 of the Fatah men residency permits in November and had moved them to Cairo, according to the sources. Earlier Tuesday, the Hamas government released the former director of Gaza's electric company, six months after arresting him in a crackdown on political rivals in the wake of the Islamic militant group's takeover of the coastal territory. Suleiman Abu Samhadana was arrested in July, weeks after Hamas routed the rival Fatah movement and seized power. Abu Samhadana, a Fatah sympathizer, was charged with embezzlement. The Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry said Abu Samhadana was freed on Monday. It said he paid a $100,000 fine, and turned over a deed to two acres of property as bail. In addition, two relatives promised to pay $200,000 each if he flees Gaza. A court date was not immediately set, and Abu Samhadana declined to speak to reporters after returning home. Abu Samhadana was the first of dozens of senior government officials, judges and prosecutors rounded up by Hamas after the takeover and also was the longest held. Most of the officials were released within days, although they lost their jobs and were replaced by Hamas sympathizers. Related articles: Poll: Support for Hamas stable despite worsening conditions in Gaza Top Fatah official abducted by Hamas gunmen in Gaza Strip Hamas tightens control on state institutions in Gaza Gaza rights groups: Hamas' seizure of legal system unlawful Bookmark to del.icio.us Construction freeze PM says no W. Bank construction without his prior approval. Lived to tell the tale Surviving hiker recounts Friday's attack in Hebron Hills.   1.   Bail 13:51  |  Joe 25/12/07   2.   Totalitarianism in action 14:35  |  Nik "Baned" Miller 25/12/07   3.   where is the outrage from Dutch and POP? 21:54  |  vik 25/12/07   4.   Re:Bail/Joe 23:46  |  Nick 31/12/07

Today Online Study: Number of Palestinians killed by IDF drops 43% Responses: 158 Arab pupils lag behind Jews in reading comprehension Responses: 103 Barak: The onus for conduct of Lebanon war is on government Responses: 73 Yossi Melman: Media glare may endanger the Jews of Iran Responses: 65 Egypt warns Israel not to undermine Cairo's ties with Washington Responses: 66 Haaretz.com TV: Yellow star worn by Jews in WWII auctioned off in T.A. Responses: 32 Rosner's Domain Small politics can determine grand policies Rosner's Guest: Evangelicals love Jews as well as Jewish Israel What Will the Palestinian Authority Do With All That Money? "Let us hope the peace process will be failure" (WTR) More Headlines 23:10 Five killed as violence erupts at Fatah rally in Gaza Strip 21:58 Cairo warns Israel not to undermine Egyptian ties to U.S. 18:21 Report: Prisoner swap deal for Shalit to be set in next 2 weeks 21:20 IDF: Palestinian pilgrim killed at Erez crossing shot by our troops 18:41 60 years on, Jewish soldiers say they feel secure in German army 20:05 Barak: Onus for conduct of war lies with government 21:27 Syrian-run media calls on U.S. to launch direct dialogue promptly 17:08 PM: No West Bank construction without my prior approval 20:29 Comptroller to compile report on past efforts to release Pollard Previous Editions Select Day 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 21 dec 20 dec 19 dec 18 dec

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