Chief PA spokesman: We're in complete control

JERUSALEM – The Palestinian Authority is in "complete control" in Gaza in spite of rampant looting, synagogue desecrations and Hamas' public displays of power, senior Palestinian Authority spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaineh told WorldNetDaily.

"Of course we are in complete control of the situation, and we are imposing law and order in Gaza," said Rudaineh, speaking from a hotel in Gaza City. "After 35 years of Israeli destruction, we have a lot to rebuild. It's going to take some time. But we are in control."

Looting and chaos continued in Gaza's former Jewish neighborhoods for a second consecutive day after Israel's final departure from the area yesterday morning. Palestinian police reportedly struggled to impose order amid thousands of Palestinians pouring in from nearby Khan Yunis, Gaza City and Rafah to celebrate Israel's withdrawal and search for valuables among the ruins of former Jewish homes and businesses. Celebrations frequently spun out of control, with Palestinians setting fire to debris.

There were reports of Palestinians storming greenhouses left behind by Israel in a deal brokered by private American organizations. In Gadid, a large former Jewish farming community, a group of looters overwhelmed hundreds of PA guards who acknowledged they were unable to hold back the crowds.

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"They are taking plastic sheeting, they are taking hoses, they are taking anything they can get their hands on," Hamza Judeh, a Palestinian policeman, told reporters.

Rudaineh, however, denied the police were helpless.

"They are protecting the greenhouses and protecting the entrances to the settlements. They are restoring order as we speak," he told WND.

In a sign that worries many in Israel, the Egypt-Gaza border today again was open in many areas, with Egyptian guards unable or unwilling to stop Palestinians from crossing back and forth. Hundreds of Palestinians walked freely across the border to reunite with family members or to buy cheeses and cigarettes at reduced rates.

Yesterday, Egyptian guards shot dead one Palestinian when a crowd of crossers, reportedly including armed Hamas and Islamic Jihad members, approached an Egyptian military outpost.

Egypt had promised Israel it would secure the border and stop Palestinian arms smuggling in the area. Egypt, which is to deploy 750 troops in the area in accordance with agreements it signed with Israel, said it was allowing the Palestinians to celebrate, but promised to tighten border security.

Said Rudaineh, "We're working with the Egyptians to control the Gaza side of the border. Everything will be calmed after a few days."

Yesterday, hours after Israel withdrew its final troops from Gaza, Palestinians stormed the former Jewish communities and burned down three of Gaza's 20 synagogues. Hamas' Gaza leader Mahmoud al Zohar held a Muslim prayer service in one large synagogue and then called on Hamas supporters to destroy the holy site. The PA has said it will raze the remaining synagogues.

Rudaineh though sought to blame Israel for the Palestinian desecrations.

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"This was Israel's fault," said Rudaineh. "We urged the Israelis not to leave behind the synagogues and to coordinate with us, but they didn't. I hope Israel will learn its lesson."

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