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New Gaza clash outside hospital New Gaza clash outside hospital
(about 1 hour later)
Supporters of the two main Palestinian factions - Hamas and Fatah - have clashed again in the Gaza Strip.Supporters of the two main Palestinian factions - Hamas and Fatah - have clashed again in the Gaza Strip.
One person, reportedly from Hamas, has been killed and several wounded outside the Shifa hospital in Gaza City. One person from Hamas has been killed and several people wounded outside Gaza City's Shifa hospital.
A truce between the two factions had been agreed on Sunday, but there was renewed violence on Monday.A truce between the two factions had been agreed on Sunday, but there was renewed violence on Monday.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who heads Fatah, has called for a new election, but Hamas, in power for less than a year, has rejected the idea.Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who heads Fatah, has called for a new election, but Hamas, in power for less than a year, has rejected the idea.
Hamas said the gunbattle, which lasted for more than an hour, erupted after a group of armed men from Fatah stormed the hospital. Poll boycott
The rival gunmen took up positions of rooftops, some firing rocket-propelled grenades at each other, the Associated Press news agency reported. The BBC's Nick Thorpe witnessed the latest attack from a hotel next to the Shifa hospital.
WEEK OF TENSIONS 9 Dec - Mr Abbas' suggestion of early polls is backed by PLO leaders; Hamas denounces the idea10 Dec - Gunmen fire on the convoy of the Hamas interior minister11 Dec - Three sons of a Fatah security chief are shot on their way to school; both Fatah and Hamas condemn the killings14 Dec - Hamas PM Ismail Haniya's convoy comes under fire as he returns from Egypt, killing a bodyguard15 Dec - Hamas accuses key Fatah figure Mohammad Dahlan of being behind the attack on Mr Haniya, a charge he rejects16 Dec - Mr Abbas announces he will call early elections; Hamas calls the move a "coup"17 Dec - A truce is called following street battles between Hamas and Fatah supporters in Gaza, in which three people die href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6182969.stm" class="">Q&A: Palestinian crisis He said the target appeared to have been a Hamas position inside the hospital.
Hamas said they had arrested two of the attackers. GROWING TENSIONS 9 Dec - Mr Abbas' suggestion of early polls is backed by PLO leaders; Hamas denounces the idea10 Dec - Gunmen fire on the convoy of the Hamas interior minister11 Dec - Three sons of a Fatah security chief are shot on their way to school; both Fatah and Hamas condemn the killings14 Dec - Hamas PM Ismail Haniya's convoy comes under fire as he returns from Egypt, killing a bodyguard15 Dec - Hamas accuses key Fatah figure Mohammad Dahlan of being behind the attack on Mr Haniya, a charge he rejects16 Dec - Mr Abbas announces he will call early elections; Hamas calls the move a "coup"17 Dec - A truce is called following street battles between Hamas and Fatah supporters in Gaza, in which three people die href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6182969.stm" class="">Q&A: Palestinian crisis
A Hamas spokesman accused what he said were intelligence officers from Fatah of launching the attack.
The Hamas spokesman confirmed that one member of the Hamas executive force - a militia established six months ago and under the control of the interior minister - was killed and several others injured.
Hamas said it had arrested two of the attackers.
Several hours earlier, the house of a prominent Fatah official came under fire, according to Fatah sources.
Fighting between the two factions has paralysed the administration.
Fatah believes that ending anti-Israel attacks is the key to forcing Israel into negotiations on an independent Palestinian statehood.
But Hamas refuses to renounce violence or recognise Israel, leading to an international aid boycott of the Palestinians.
There has been continued unrest since Mr Abbas called for early elections on Saturday.There has been continued unrest since Mr Abbas called for early elections on Saturday.
The move was labelled a "coup" by Hamas, which won a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections in January and controls the government.The move was labelled a "coup" by Hamas, which won a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections in January and controls the government.
The governing Palestinian movement said it would boycott the early elections. href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/middle_east_palestinian_views_on_political_crisis/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/middle_east_palestinian_views_on_political_crisis/html/1.stm', '1166456863', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Gaza residents on the violence and prospects of a new election href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/middle_east_palestinian_views_on_political_crisis/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/middle_east_palestinian_views_on_political_crisis/html/1.stm', '1166456863', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures
Hamas said it would boycott the early elections.
Tony Blair, who is in the region, has backed the call for elections. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said "everything should be done" to support Mr Abbas.Tony Blair, who is in the region, has backed the call for elections. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said "everything should be done" to support Mr Abbas.
Mr Abbas said he had called for early presidential and legislative elections to relieve "the current impasse".Mr Abbas said he had called for early presidential and legislative elections to relieve "the current impasse".
Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal - who is based in Damascus - told the BBC that the president's actions were "against the law and against the constitution".Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal - who is based in Damascus - told the BBC that the president's actions were "against the law and against the constitution".
"What's needed to address the inter-Palestinian crisis is national agreement, not actions by individuals, especially taken in response to foreign pressure." Verbal agreement
Mr Meshaal said Hamas would take practical steps to stop early elections taking place, using "peaceful, popular pressure - not with violence". There has been a series of clashes between members of Hamas and Fatah despite the truce.
Fragile truce A member of Mr Abbas' Fatah movement was shot dead on Monday.
There have been a series of clashes between members of Hamas and Fatah in recent days. On Sunday a ceasefire was reported, but outbreaks of violence have continued into Tuesday.
Gaza residents on the violence and prospects of a new electionIn pictures
A member of Mr Abbas' Fatah movement was shot dead on Monday, putting pressure on the truce.
Fatah said the man had been killed during an attempt to free three of its members kidnapped on Monday. Three others were hurt in the gunfight in Jabaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza.Fatah said the man had been killed during an attempt to free three of its members kidnapped on Monday. Three others were hurt in the gunfight in Jabaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza.
Meanwhile, Hamas' Prime Minister Ismail Haniya called on Mr Abbas to withdraw his security forces from Gaza's streets, saying their deployment endangered the truce, Reuters news agency reports.Meanwhile, Hamas' Prime Minister Ismail Haniya called on Mr Abbas to withdraw his security forces from Gaza's streets, saying their deployment endangered the truce, Reuters news agency reports.
Efforts are continuing behind the scenes to firm up the fragile verbal truce agreement, negotiated by mediators on Sunday without a meeting between Hamas and Fatah leaders. Efforts are continuing behind the scenes to firm up the fragile verbal agreement, negotiated by mediators on Sunday without a meeting between Hamas and Fatah leaders.
Fighting between the two factions has paralysed the administration.
The Palestinians have faced an international aid boycott since the election because of Hamas' refusal to renounce violence or recognise Israel.