Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas dismissed dozens of security officers in the Gaza Strip yesterday, following a raid by armed men on the main prison in Gaza. The dismissals included two of the three most senior security officials appointed by the late Yasser Arafat in mid-2004.
Abbas made his decision following a raid by dozens of armed men on the main prison in Gaza, where the police headquarters are also based. The attacking gunmen used explosives to breach the prison's walls and then executed two inmates who had been accused of murdering key Fatah members.
A third prisoner was kidnapped to the Al-Burej refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip and executed there.
The prison assault is regarded as an example of the chaotic security situation characterizing the Gaza Strip. But the attack served as an opportunity to purge the security forces and initiate the planned reforms. The dismissals are part of attempts at reforming the security forces, a process that includes pensioning off most of the security officials appointed by Arafat - men who are holding key positions. The plan of retiring veteran senior officers is expected to cost $80 million. Their replacements will be recruited from those affiliated with Mahmoud Abbas.
Key among the new appointments will be Rashid Abu Shabak, commander of the Preventive Security Service, to a more senior security-related post.
It was announced last night that General Abdel Razak Majida had retired. He held the official title of chief of the Palestinian General Security in the territories. Arafat appointed Majida following a series of internal clashes and kidnappings last July in the Gaza Strip. He was considered to lack real power and influence over the Palestinian security forces.
Also yesterday, General Saeb al-Ajaz, commander of the Palestinian "blue" police force and the nominal commander of the main prison, retired. Another Arafat appointee, he was known to have had good working relations with his Israeli counterparts.
