Latest Hamas woes: Interior minister in trouble

Asharq al-Awsat (via PalPress) reports that there are increasing calls in Hamas to dismiss interior minister Fathi Hammad after a series of bungles, including a security officer killed during a drug raid last week.

Seven Gazans have been killed in the past two weeks, including the policeman, as Hamas security is seen to be acting recklessly. (Although the reports aren't clear, it seems that the policeman was killed by "frienndly fire." He is still honored as a "martyr" on the Al Qassam Brigades webpage, indicating that he was a member of that terror group as well.)

Hammad is also seen as responsible for travel restrictions in Hamas and unwillingness to take responsibility for the excesses of Hamas security. In addition, he is close with the Qassam Brigades and it is possible that he is pushing for closer ties to Hizballah, in contrast to the Haniyeh/Mashal "political wing." This indicates that the friction between the Qassam Brigades and the rest of Hamas is increasing.

Other criticisms of Hammad include his recent crackdown on Western-style clothing and hairstyles, on women smoking water pipes in public, and the escape of murderers (probably Qassam members) from prison.