Implications of Abbas's removal of security leaders

In the attempt to confirm his commitment to cease fire which followed the launching of Palestinian resistance against Israeli settlements in Gaza on Thursday, the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas referred to Fatah, whose central committee issued a statement in which it announced the state of emergency, and accused Hamas of violating the declared truce with Israel.

Meantime, the Palestinian president issued a decree in which he appointed Col. Mahmoud Asfour as the director of the Palestinian police. This came after the resignation of Lt. Gen. Saeb al-Ajez from his post as a director for the Palestinian police following Gaza's incidents on Thursday.

Abbas also removed several security and officers leaders in Gaza over their inability to prevent attacks of the Palestinian resistance against the Jewish settlements. Washington welcomed Abbas's decision and stressed that by that he confirms his determination to put an end to violence.

Israel also welcomed the decision, but said its patience is limited concerning what it called violations of the cease fire. The Israeli deputy defense minister Zaef Bweim demanded taking measures against the Palestinian resistance.