Fireworks in Gaza

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is caught between a rock and hard place in a letter made public to Hamas' designated prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh last week, he said ...

"I will exercise my mandate and authority where and when needed to protect the higher interests of the Palestinian people,"

The Palestinians' constitution, or Basic Law, (see here for more) empowers the president to fire the prime minister and disband Parliament.

Haniyeh has said his government would be presented to Parliament for a vote of confidence on Monday, and sworn in by Wednesday.

A troubled Abbas, faced with withrdrawal of financial assistance and the resolute opposaition of Israel has been said to want to "draw the battle lines" with Hamas, but also to warn Israel and the West that threats to sever aid and ties would likely strengthen the Islamist party.

In all of this the Israeli Government have the upper and controlling hand - expect some fireworks in Gaza this week.