This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6167835.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Gaza gunmen kill school children Outrage over killing of Gaza boys
(about 1 hour later)
Gunmen in Gaza City have shot dead the three sons of an intelligence chief linked to the Palestinian party Fatah. The killing of three sons of a top intelligence officer in Gaza has caused widespread outrage among Palestinians.
One adult was also killed in the attack which took place in a street crowded with children on their way to school. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the attack by gunmen in Gaza City was "an ugly and inhuman crime".
The boys' father was named as Baha Balousheh, who led a crackdown on the now-ruling Hamas movement 10 years ago. "Words stop at the extent of this crime," said the children's father, Baha Balusheh, who is linked to Mr Abbas's Fatah party.
The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says the motive is unclear but Mr Balousheh's position means he would have made many enemies. The gunmen fired dozens of bullets at the car in which the children, aged six to 10, were travelling to school.
I am a father who has lost his children... This crime is a part of the terrorism which continues on Palestinian streets Baha Balousheh A funeral procession for the children was held at midday, with thousands of people marching through the streets, including hundreds of pro-Fatah security officers, many of whom fired into the air. An adult was also killed in the attack which took place in a street crowded with children.
"I have no words. Words stop at the extent of this crime," said Mr Balousheh who was not travelling in the car at the time. I am a father who has lost his children... This crime is a part of the terrorism which continues on Palestinian streets Baha Balousheh
"I am a father who has lost his children... This crime is a part of the terrorism which continues on Palestinian streets." So far, no-one has admitted carrying out the drive-by shooting.
Tensions between Fatah and the Hamas government and have frequently led to gun battles in the streets of Gaza that have killed dozens of people. The motive also remains unclear but Mr Balousheh's position means he would have made many enemies, the BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says.
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. Mr Balousheh led a crackdown on the now-ruling Hamas movement 10 years ago.
"I am a father who has lost his children... This crime is a part of the terrorism which continues on Palestinian streets," said Mr Balousheh who was not travelling in the car at the time.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum condemned the killings as an "awful, ugly crime against innocent children".
The attack comes amid growing tension between the rival Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah.
It is bound to inflame the situation, the BBC's Middle East analyst Roger Hardy says.
The clear danger is that political differences will lead to an escalation of tit-for-tat violence, he says.
On Sunday, gunmen shot at Interior Minister Saeed Seyam's convoy in Gaza. Mr Seyam, who is a senior Hamas leader, was unharmed in that incident.
PandemoniumPandemonium
The attack happened as children were arriving at nine schools which line Palestine Street in Gaza City's central Rimal district.The attack happened as children were arriving at nine schools which line Palestine Street in Gaza City's central 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 were travelling. At least two other children were hurt.
Inside the vehicle with its blacked out passenger windows, the seats and a school bag were covered in blood.Inside the vehicle with its blacked out passenger windows, the seats and a school bag were covered in blood.
There was pandemonium as hundreds of people ran for cover from the gunfire, with many young children being separated from parents and syblings. There was pandemonium as hundreds of people ran for cover from the gunfire, with many young children being separated from parents and siblings.
Fadwa Nabulsi, 12, said she was outside a school with her nine-year-old brother, Wael, when the shooting started.Fadwa Nabulsi, 12, 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. I was crying, and I lost Wael for about half an hour," she told Associated Press. "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," she told Associated Press news agency.
'Ugly crime' A funeral procession for the children was held at midday, with thousands of people marching through the streets, including hundreds of pro-Fatah security officers, many of whom fired into the air.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum condemned Monday's attack as an "awful, ugly crime against innocent children". Political stand-off
He blamed elements who wanted to undermine Palestinian interests by creating chaos and confusion.
Mr Balousheh is considered a leading enemy of Hamas. He was the main interrogator of Hamas members during the 1990s crackdown on the Islamist movement.Mr Balousheh is considered a leading enemy of Hamas. He was the main interrogator of Hamas members during the 1990s crackdown on the Islamist movement.
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.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. Mr 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".Hamas denounced the proposal to hold another election as a "coup against democracy".