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Fresh clashes erupt in Gaza Strip Fresh clashes erupt in Gaza Strip
(about 1 hour 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 Hamas and two Fatah members were killed in at least two exchanges. A number of children were injured in crossfire in one incident. One Hamas and two Fatah members were killed in at least three exchanges. A number of children were injured in crossfire in one incident.
Fatah, through Mahmoud Abbas, controls the presidency while Hamas, which won polls in January, runs the government.Fatah, through Mahmoud Abbas, controls the presidency while Hamas, which won polls in January, runs the government.
Mr Abbas has called for a new election, but Hamas has branded this a "coup".Mr Abbas has called for a new election, but Hamas has branded this a "coup".
Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, of Hamas, is to deliver a speech later on Tuesday which his aides said would include an appeal for calm.Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, of Hamas, is to deliver a speech later on Tuesday which his aides said would include an appeal for calm.
International embargoInternational embargo
Masked Hamas gunmen set up makeshift roadblocks in Gaza City on Tuesday as gunfire echoed around the streets.Masked Hamas gunmen set up makeshift roadblocks in Gaza City on Tuesday as gunfire echoed around the streets.
One of the battles took place outside Shifa hospital.One of the battles took place outside Shifa hospital.
Both sides used to fight the Israelis together. Now they are directing their weapons toward each other Suleiman TumanPalestinian shopkeeper Lethal tensionsBoth sides used to fight the Israelis together. Now they are directing their weapons toward each other Suleiman TumanPalestinian shopkeeper Lethal tensions
The BBC's Nick Thorpe witnessed the incident. He said the target appeared to have been a Hamas position inside the building.The BBC's Nick Thorpe witnessed the incident. He said the target appeared to have been a Hamas position inside the building.
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 gun battle at the pro-Fatah General Intelligence headquarters in Gaza City. In a second incident, a convoy of pro-Fatah militants was ambushed on one of the main Gaza City thoroughfares.
Gaza residents on the violence and prospects of a new electionIn picturesGaza residents on the violence and prospects of a new electionIn pictures
Two militants were killed and nine bystanders injured, including five children, medical sources said.
The ministry of education has cancelled all classes until further notice.
Palestinian security officials also reported an attack on the pro-Fatah 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.
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.
Shopkeeper Suleiman Tuman told the Associated Press: "It's a real war. I've been praying to God that this is going to end. Both sides used to fight the Israelis together. Now they are directing their weapons toward each other."Shopkeeper Suleiman Tuman told the Associated Press: "It's a real war. I've been praying to God that this is going to end. Both sides used to fight the Israelis together. Now they are directing their weapons toward each other."
Blair's callBlair's call
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.
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
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.
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 said it would boycott the elections.The move was labelled a "coup" by Hamas, which said it would boycott the 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.