PALESTINIANS MAKE BIG MESS

When Abu Yousef Abu Quka, a senior commander of the Popular Resistance Committees, was killed on Friday when his car exploded, there was confusion about responsibility:

The PRC initially blamed Israel, which denied involvement, and then pointed to the Preventive Security Service. "There is a long history of conflict between us," said PRC spokesman Abu Abir, an Abu Quka ally. "The Preventive Security always tries to demean our members."

Palestinian intelligence officials said Abu Quka was a known Hamas supporter, and appeared to have been targeted for his loyalties. The officials, fearing for their safety, spoke on condition of anonymity.

A bit of animosity was evident at Quka's funeral:

Dozens of gunmen gathered outside the hospital where Abu Quka's body was taken, crying, screaming and firing into the air. Accompanying the body, hundreds of gunmen marched through the streets of Gaza City.

With tensions heightened, gunfire broke out at the funeral. Hospital officials said three people were killed, including two bystanders and a PRC member who had joined the procession. Twenty-five others were wounded.

A worker at the hospital treating the wounded quite nicely summed up the situation:

"We have a big mess here."

Yep, and its going to get a whole lot messier.