Although it has been added to the US State Department's official list of foreign terrorist groups, the armed wing of the ruling Fatah party, Aksa Martyrs Brigades, is planning to run in the next elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council.

The group's decision is likely to embarrass Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who is already under heavy pressure from Israel to prevent Hamas from participating in the vote. Moreover, it is understood that the US and the European Union are opposed to the participation of Hamas and other terrorist groups in the elections.

Abbas, according to some of his aides, is seriously considering postponing the parliamentary elections slated for next January because of ongoing anarchy in PA-ruled areas, and fears that Hamas would make a strong showing...

...the Aksa Brigades on Thursday announced that it had formed a special unit to track down and kill Palestinians suspected of "collaboration" with Israel. The new group will be called the Hawks Unit, according to a leaflet distributed by the Aksa Brigades. The leaflet issued a 48-hour ultimatum to "collaborators" to repent or face execution.

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed doubling its annual aid for the Palestinians - now totaling some 250 million a year - to help them build a credible government and develop trade with Israel and other neighbors...