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Three children shot dead in Gaza Three children shot dead in Gaza
(40 minutes later)
Gunmen outside a school in Gaza City have shot dead the three children of a Palestinian intelligence chief linked to the Fatah party. Gunmen in Gaza City have shot dead three children of an intelligence chief linked to the Palestinian party Fatah.
One adult was also killed in the attack which took place in a street crowded with children. One adult was also killed in the attack which took place in a street crowded with children on their way to school.
The children's father was named as Baha Balousheh, who led a crackdown on the Hamas movement 10 years ago. The children's father was named as Baha Balousheh, who led a crackdown on the now-ruling Hamas movement 10 years ago.
Tensions between Fatah and the Hamas government have frequently led to gun battles in the streets of Gaza. The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says the motive is unclear but Mr Balousheh's position means he would have made many enemies.
On Saturday, Hamas Interior Minister Said Siam escaped unhurt after his convoy was fired upon in Gaza City. Tensions between Fatah and the Hamas government have frequently led to gun battles in the streets of Gaza that have killed dozens of people.
Hamas won a landslide victory in elections in January but its funding has been choked off by Western donors because it refuses to renounce violence and recognise Israel. The attack came a day after gunmen shot at Interior Minister Saeed Seyam's convoy in Gaza. Mr Seyam, who is a senior Hamas leader, was unharmed in that incident.
We saw fire coming from one car. We started screaming and children started running Fadwa NabulsiSchoolgirl Pandemonium
Fatah leader and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has been considering a request by his allies to hold early elections to resolve an impasse in efforts to form a unity government. The attack happened as children were arriving at nine schools which line Palestine Street in Gaza City's central Rimal district.
Hamas has denounced the proposal to hold another election as a "coup against democracy".
Revenge vows
The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says the motive behind Monday's attack is not clear but a figure in Mr Balousheh's position would have made many enemies.
The attack happened as children were arriving at a street lined with several schools in Gaza City's Rimal district.
The gunmen fired more than 70 bullets at the vehicle in which Mr Balousheh's children, aged between six and 10, were travelling. At least two other children were hurt.The gunmen fired more than 70 bullets at the vehicle in which Mr Balousheh's children, aged between six and 10, were travelling. At least two other children were hurt.
According to the Associated Press news agency, seats and a school bag inside the vehicle were left covered in blood. Inside the white vehicle with its blacked out passenger windows, the seats and a school bag were covered in blood.
We saw fire coming from one car. We started screaming and children started running Fadwa NabulsiSchoolgirl There were scenes of pandemonium as hundreds of children and parents ran for cover from the gunfire.
Fatah supporters gathered in the streets vowing revenge for the attack.Fatah supporters gathered in the streets vowing revenge for the attack.
Fadwa Nabulsi, a 12-year-old interviewed by the Associated Press, said she was outside a school with her nine-year-old brother, Wael, when the shooting started.Fadwa Nabulsi, a 12-year-old interviewed by the Associated Press, said she was outside a school with her nine-year-old brother, Wael, when the shooting started.
"We saw fire coming from one car. We started screaming and children started running."We saw fire coming from one car. We started screaming and children started running.
"I was crying, and I lost Wael for about half an hour. Then I found him hiding in a falafel shop. I'm trying to find my father to take us back home," she said."I was crying, and I lost Wael for about half an hour. Then I found him hiding in a falafel shop. I'm trying to find my father to take us back home," she said.
'Ugly crime'
Palestinian police in the area have been trying to help children locate their parents and Gaza City's Shifa hospital has been flooded with inquiries from concerned families.Palestinian police in the area have been trying to help children locate their parents and Gaza City's Shifa hospital has been flooded with inquiries from concerned families.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum condemned Monday's attack as an "awful, ugly crime against innocent children".
He blamed elements who wanted to undermine Palestinian interests by creating chaos and confusion.
Hamas won a landslide victory in elections in January but its funding has been choked off by Western donors because it refuses to renounce violence and recognise Israel.
Fatah leader and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has been considering a request by his allies to hold early elections to resolve an impasse in efforts to form a unity government.
Hamas denounced the proposal to hold another election as a "coup against democracy".