A new video released to YouTube by Fatah's "military wing," the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, declares the unity of Fatah's various military branches, and announces a recent decision to strengthen Fatah's military activities.
Filming in what they term a "joint operations room" in Gaza, the Fatah fighters are seen in the video proudly displaying three-barrel rocket launchers, anti-tank rocket launchers, assault rifles and portable communications devices.
One of the fighters tells the camera that "the rifle" was and remains the only option to "free the occupied lands," and that Fatah has never abandoned the path of military resistance.
As demonstrated by the armed presence in Gaza, Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades has reportedly taken an active part in the war being fought against Israel from Gaza, joining Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other organizations against Israel during Operation Protective Edge.
In the West Bank, the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades have likewise declared "open war" on the Israeli regime.
The declaration has been followed by numerous Fatah attacks, including a shooting attack south of Beit Lahm (Bethlehem) last Sunday, after another shooting attack the Sunday before in Neve Tzuf.
Fatah's position is in line with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) charter of 1968, which calls for "armed struggle" and "armed revolution," declaring "armed struggle is the only way to liberate Palestine," and calling on local Arabs to "be prepared for the armed struggle."
NTJ/HH