Order Settles in Gaza, but Fears Persist

A Palestinian man rides his bicycle past a mural showing militant symbols in Gaza City, Tuesday, June 19, 2007. Just days after Hamas' takeover, the chaotic Gaza Strip was already more orderly Wednesday. But the new stability did not dispel deep fears that Islamic militants would retaliate against their vanquished enemies, impose their harsh interpretation of Muslim law and make Gaza an international pariah. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) (Khalil Hamra - AP)

Rumors have spread that Hamas gunmen forced lingerie shops to remove window mannequins and hotels to bar unmarried couples. Business owners deny that, but some hotels, anticipating the coming of harsh restrictions, have refused to give rooms to unmarried couples anyway.

Nidal Abdi, whose store selling music cassettes was bombed by Islamic militants three months ago, said he had not received threats from Hamas, but expects them soon.

"Everyone is afraid, not just us," he said, standing next to photos of topless women advertising lingerie. "If they don't threaten us today, they'll threaten us tomorrow. We're waiting for it to happen."

There have been scattered reports of violence, many of them blamed on Hamas militants taking revenge on Fatah fighters. On Wednesday, Munir Dughmush, a member of Abbas' presidential guard, was abducted, shot dead and dumped in a square in Gaza City, relatives said.

While dozens of Fatah officials and their families remained stranded at the Erez crossing into Israel trying to escape Gaza, others decided to stay.

A Fatah fighter in southern Gaza, who would only give his name as Yasir, said he was keeping close to home and predicted the current stability will be short-lived.

"Hamas rules now, but watch what happens in the future," he said.

"Everybody with a dead brother is waiting to get their revenge. They will wait years. Everybody knows each other, everybody knows who killed their brother. As soon as Hamas weakens, the guns everybody is hiding will come out."

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Associated Press writer Sarah El Deeb contributed to this report.