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/6183409.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Violence follows Hamas accusation Violence follows Hamas accusation
(30 minutes later)
Clashes have erupted between rival Palestinian factions after Hamas accused Fatah of trying to assassinate Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas.Clashes have erupted between rival Palestinian factions after Hamas accused Fatah of trying to assassinate Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas.
Hamas accused Fatah's Mohammad Dahlan of organising an attack on Mr Haniya as he crossed into Gaza from Egypt. Hamas accused a senior Fatah figure of organising an attack on Mr Haniya as he crossed into Gaza from Egypt.
Hospitals in the West Bank town of Ramallah said 32 people were injured in clashes there. Fighting was also reported in Gaza City. Hospital sources in the West Bank town of Ramallah said 32 people had been injured in clashes there. Fighting was also reported in Gaza City.
Mr Haniya called for calm and unity at a mass rally held in Gaza City.Mr Haniya called for calm and unity at a mass rally held in Gaza City.
Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in a Gaza City football stadium to mark the 19th anniversary of the founding of Hamas.Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in a Gaza City football stadium to mark the 19th anniversary of the founding of Hamas.
Hamas gunmen patrolled the streets of the city in a show of strength following Thursday's attack on Mr Haniya. Hamas gunmen patrolled the streets of the city in a show of strength.
We did not join this movement to become ministers but rather to become martyrs Ismail HaniyaPalestinian Prime Minister Q&A: Palestinian crisis Mr Haniya said Hamas had the names of those responsible and that the law would be used to bring them to justice.We did not join this movement to become ministers but rather to become martyrs Ismail HaniyaPalestinian Prime Minister Q&A: Palestinian crisis Mr Haniya said Hamas had the names of those responsible and that the law would be used to bring them to justice.
But he vowed that the shooting would not frighten members of Hamas.But he vowed that the shooting would not frighten members of Hamas.
"We did not join this movement to become ministers but rather to become martyrs.""We did not join this movement to become ministers but rather to become martyrs."
One bodyguard was killed and Mr Haniya's son was among five injured in the gun battle at the Rafah border crossing. One bodyguard was killed and Mr Haniya's son was among five injured in Thursday's gun battle at the Rafah border crossing.
The BBC's Alan Johnston, in Gaza, says Mr Haniya struck a less strident tone than some, but there is every danger that the situation could get worse.
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority (PA) president and head of Fatah, is due to speak on Saturday, and may call early elections in an effort to break the political deadlock between Fatah and Hamas.
'Grave threat''Grave threat'
The violence in Ramallah on Friday came as Hamas supporters attempted to march towards the centre of town, reports said.The violence in Ramallah on Friday came as Hamas supporters attempted to march towards the centre of town, reports said.
href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6183915.stm" class="">In pictures: Rivals clash Their path was blocked by security forces loyal to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority (PA) president and head of Fatah. href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/middle_east_/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/middle_east_/html/1.stm', '1166200743', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Ramallah residents condemn violance between Palestinian factions href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/middle_east_/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/middle_east_/html/1.stm', '1166200743', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures Their path was blocked by security forces loyal to Mr Abbas.
Fighting broke out, with hospital officials saying that at least 32 people were injured by gunfire and stone-throwing.Fighting broke out, with hospital officials saying that at least 32 people were injured by gunfire and stone-throwing.
Shooting also erupted in Gaza City between masked Hamas gunmen and PA police allied to Fatah.Shooting also erupted in Gaza City between masked Hamas gunmen and PA police allied to Fatah.
Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan had earlier said the attack at Rafah was "an assassination attempt carried out by traitors led by Mohammad Dahlan".Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan had earlier said the attack at Rafah was "an assassination attempt carried out by traitors led by Mohammad Dahlan".
Mr Dahlan is a former Palestinian Authority security chief and a fierce critic of Hamas. Mr Dahlan, an ally of Mr Abbas, is a former Palestinian Authority security chief and a fierce critic of Hamas.
In the 1990s he led a crackdown on militants who refused to acknowledge the new PA.In the 1990s he led a crackdown on militants who refused to acknowledge the new PA.
He has rejected the Hamas accusations, saying the governing party was trying to "mask its failures".He has rejected the Hamas accusations, saying the governing party was trying to "mask its failures".
A Fatah spokesman said the attack was a "grave threat" to Palestinian unity, and called for an official investigation. A Fatah spokesman said the attack was a "grave threat" to Palestinian unity.
Mr Abbas said he regretted the attack, but Hamas said he had to share some responsibility.
Chaotic scenesChaotic scenes
Inter-faction tensions have increased since the killing of three sons of a pro-Fatah security chief on Monday.Inter-faction tensions have increased since the killing of three sons of a pro-Fatah security chief on Monday.
Tens of thousands filled a stadium to hear Mr Haniya speakMr Haniya had tried to cut short his first trip abroad as prime minister to deal with the crisis. href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6183915.stm" class="">In pictures: Rivals clash Mr Haniya had tried to cut short his first trip abroad as prime minister to deal with the crisis.
But Israel on Thursday closed the Gaza border, saying the reported $30m (£15.3m) Mr Haniya was carrying in donations as he returned from his foreign trip would fund "terrorist operations".But Israel on Thursday closed the Gaza border, saying the reported $30m (£15.3m) Mr Haniya was carrying in donations as he returned from his foreign trip would fund "terrorist operations".
When Mr Haniya eventually crossed late in the evening, without the money, guards allied to Fatah exchanged fire with Mr Haniya's security forces.When Mr Haniya eventually crossed late in the evening, without the money, guards allied to Fatah exchanged fire with Mr Haniya's security forces.
Mr Haniya was shielded by his bodyguards, one of whom died after being hit.Mr Haniya was shielded by his bodyguards, one of whom died after being hit.
Hamas, a militant Islamic group, won elections in January, but has faced a Western aid boycott after refusing to renounce violence and recognise Israel.Hamas, a militant Islamic group, won elections in January, but has faced a Western aid boycott after refusing to renounce violence and recognise Israel.
The Palestinian Authority has been unable to pay full salaries to its 165,000 workers.The Palestinian Authority has been unable to pay full salaries to its 165,000 workers.