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Fresh clashes erupt in Gaza Strip Fresh clashes erupt in Gaza Strip
(about 2 hours later)
New clashes have broken out in the Gaza Strip between the two main Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah, putting more pressure on Sunday's fragile truce.New clashes have broken out in the Gaza Strip between the two main Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah, putting more pressure on Sunday's fragile truce.
One person from Hamas was killed and several people wounded in a gun battle outside Gaza City's Shifa hospital. One Hamas and two Fatah members were killed in at least two exchanges. A number of children were injured in crossfire in one incident.
Heavy gunfire was then reported at the pro-Fatah General Intelligence service. Fatah, through Mahmoud Abbas, controls the presidency while Hamas, which won polls in January, runs the government.
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. Mr Abbas has called for a new election, but Hamas has branded this a "coup".
The BBC's Nick Thorpe witnessed the attack at the Shifa hospital. Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, of Hamas, is to deliver a speech later on Tuesday which his aides said would include an appeal for calm.
He said the target appeared to have been a Hamas position inside the building. International embargo
One of Tuesday's gun battles took place outside Gaza City's Shifa hospital.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe witnessed the incident. He said the target appeared to have been a Hamas position inside the building.
GROWING TENSIONS 9 Dec - Mr Abbas suggests early polls. Hamas denounces the idea11 Dec - Three sons of a Fatah security chief are shot on their way to school14 Dec - Hamas PM Ismail Haniya's convoy comes under fire as he returns from Egypt, killing a bodyguard. Hamas blames Fatah16 Dec - Mr Abbas says he will call early elections; Hamas calls the move a "coup"17 Dec - A truce is called following street battles between Hamas and Fatah but violence continues Q&A: Palestinian crisisGROWING TENSIONS 9 Dec - Mr Abbas suggests early polls. Hamas denounces the idea11 Dec - Three sons of a Fatah security chief are shot on their way to school14 Dec - Hamas PM Ismail Haniya's convoy comes under fire as he returns from Egypt, killing a bodyguard. Hamas blames Fatah16 Dec - Mr Abbas says he will call early elections; Hamas calls the move a "coup"17 Dec - A truce is called following street battles between Hamas and Fatah but violence continues Q&A: Palestinian crisis
A Hamas spokesman accused what he said were intelligence officers from Fatah of launching the attack.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.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.
Palestinian security officials then reported a major gun battle at the General Intelligence headquarters in Gaza City.Palestinian security officials then reported a major gun battle at the General Intelligence headquarters in Gaza City.
A security source told Reuters news agency the fighting broke out when Hamas gunmen fired a rocket-propelled grenade into the compound.A security source told Reuters news agency the fighting broke out when Hamas gunmen fired a rocket-propelled grenade into the compound.
Several hours earlier, the house of a prominent Fatah official had also come under fire, according to Fatah sources. Two members of the pro-Fatah security forces were killed in Tuesday's violence, medical sources said, but it was unclear how they died.
In one of the incidents, at least five Palestinian teenagers were wounded when returning from school.
Fighting between the two factions has paralysed the Hamas- led administration - which itself has been crippled by an international embargo against it.Fighting between the two factions has paralysed the Hamas- led administration - which itself has been crippled by an international embargo against it.
Hamas refuses to renounce violence or recognise Israel - a crucial demand of the international community.Hamas refuses to renounce violence or recognise Israel - a crucial demand of the international community.
Fatah believes that ending anti-Israel attacks is the key to forcing Israel into negotiations on an independent Palestinian statehood.Fatah believes that ending anti-Israel attacks is the key to forcing Israel into negotiations on an independent Palestinian statehood.
Increased poverty and months of Israeli operations have polarised Palestinian factional rivalry further, correspondents say.Increased poverty and months of Israeli operations have polarised Palestinian factional rivalry further, correspondents say.
Blair's call
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.
Gaza residents on the violence and prospects of a new electionIn picturesGaza residents on the violence and prospects of a new electionIn pictures
The move was labelled a "coup" by Hamas, which won a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections in January.
Hamas said it would boycott the early elections.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".
Verbal agreement Sunday's truce was negotiated by mediators without a meeting between leaders.
There has been a series of clashes between members of Hamas and Fatah despite the truce. Mr Haniya has since called on Mr Abbas to withdraw his security forces from Gaza's streets, saying their deployment is endangering the truce, Reuters reported.
A member of Mr Abbas' Fatah movement was shot dead on Monday.
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.
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.