Palestinian Intelligence Chief Wounded in Attack

An apparent assassination attempt at Palestinian intelligence headquarters killed one and wounded nine, including intelligence chief Tareq Abu Rajab. Speculation is that rival Fatah factions are responsible, further escalating the likelihood of civil war.

In addition to the power struggle, this throwaway line deep in the story is interesting: “Abu Rajab underwent surgery at Shifa. Gaza doctors said they stopped the bleeding and stabilized him, but decided to send him to an Israeli hospital to try to save his leg.” The fact that they have to send their intelligence chief to Israel, home of their mortal enemy, to get decent medical treatment speaks volumes about how far the Palestinians have to go to create a modern society.

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