Nabil ‘Amru, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, was shot in his leg and injured moderately at his house near Ramallah on Tuesday evening.
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Nabil ‘Amru
The shooting raised fears that the violent clashes in the Gaza Strip are now spreading to the West Bank.
Infighting in Gaza erupted over the weekend between pro-reformists, reportedly led by Muhammad Dahlan, demonstrating for reforms and eradication of corruption in the face of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yassir Arafat’s strong hold over the leadership.
‘Amru has reportedly criticized Arafat in the past and is considered a staunch supporter of incorporating reforms in the authority. He has been outspoken in his criticism of corruption and mismanagement in the Palestinian leadership.
Many believe his assailants were Arafat supporters, although they have yet to be identified.
Arafat ordered an investigation of the incident.
‘Amru, 47, was a minister in the cabinet of former Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud ’Abbas. He also heads the board of directors of the Palestinian daily Al-Hayyat Al-Jadida, which reported the shooting in a banner headline on the front page.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) plans to relocate 20 foreign agency workers from the Gaza Strip to Jerusalem, while 35 workers will remain in the area. A spokesman said the decision was in response to Israeli restrictions on movement in the Gaza Strip as well as the worsening security situation.
Four French citizens who were reportedly aiding the Palestinian Authority were kidnapped over the weekend by armed Palestinians and were later released.