RAMALLAH, West Bank — The cities of Ramallah and al-Bireh in the central West Bank turned into a war zone Aug. 5, following the killing of Fatah leader Khalil al-Sheikh. Sheikh is the brother of Hussein al-Sheikh, head of the Palestinian General Authority of Civil Affairs and member of the movement’s Central Committee.
Following the killing, dozens of young men close to Sheikh took to the streets of Ramallah and al-Bireh, carrying M16 rifles and firing bullets into the air until dawn. This came amid conflicting stories about Sheikh’s killing. Palestinan security services are still investigating the matter, but to this date no investigation results have been shared.