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| Gaza tense after deadly battles | Gaza tense after deadly battles |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| At least three people have been killed in Gaza in clashes between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah. | |
| Although reported to be still tense, the funerals for those killed passed off peacefully on Saturday. | Although reported to be still tense, the funerals for those killed passed off peacefully on Saturday. |
| Earlier, a civilian was among two shot dead in the city centre, bringing to 16 the number killed since Thursday night. | |
| Clashes erupted after weeks of relative calm and renewed efforts to form a national unity government. Both sides say they have suspended talks. | Clashes erupted after weeks of relative calm and renewed efforts to form a national unity government. Both sides say they have suspended talks. |
| The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says sustained clashes went on almost all night but had stopped by dawn on Saturday. | The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says sustained clashes went on almost all night but had stopped by dawn on Saturday. |
| The other two people killed on Saturday are thought to have been members of the security forces loyal to the Fatah movement led by the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas. | |
| Siege | Siege |
| Friday was one of the worst days of violence between Hamas and Fatah supporters since Hamas took control of the Palestinian administration a year ago. | Friday was one of the worst days of violence between Hamas and Fatah supporters since Hamas took control of the Palestinian administration a year ago. |
| How can the dialogue go on when there is a bomb underneath the table? Tawfiq Abu KhoussaFatah spokesman | How can the dialogue go on when there is a bomb underneath the table? Tawfiq Abu KhoussaFatah spokesman |
| Two civilians, one a two-year-old boy, were among those killed, according to Palestinian medical sources. | Two civilians, one a two-year-old boy, were among those killed, according to Palestinian medical sources. |
| More than 40 people have died as a result of a power struggle between supporters of the Hamas-led government and Fatah since mid-December. | More than 40 people have died as a result of a power struggle between supporters of the Hamas-led government and Fatah since mid-December. |
| There has been intensive mediation by Egyptian diplomats to try to stop the bloodshed. | There has been intensive mediation by Egyptian diplomats to try to stop the bloodshed. |
| Late on Friday, word came that Fatah and Hamas had agreed to order their supporters off the streets - but both then accused the other of reneging on the deal and clashes continued. | Late on Friday, word came that Fatah and Hamas had agreed to order their supporters off the streets - but both then accused the other of reneging on the deal and clashes continued. |
| Some of the heaviest fighting took place in the Jabaliya refugee camp, where Hamas gunmen laid siege to the home of a local Fatah leader. | Some of the heaviest fighting took place in the Jabaliya refugee camp, where Hamas gunmen laid siege to the home of a local Fatah leader. |
| The gunmen eventually stormed the building and two people were killed. | The gunmen eventually stormed the building and two people were killed. |
| Militants linked to Fatah said they had captured at least 19 Hamas supporters in response to the siege. Some were later freed. | Militants linked to Fatah said they had captured at least 19 Hamas supporters in response to the siege. Some were later freed. |
| Elsewhere, fighting erupted outside the residences of Mr Abbas and Hamas Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar. Mr Zahar's home was damaged after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, security sources said. | Elsewhere, fighting erupted outside the residences of Mr Abbas and Hamas Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar. Mr Zahar's home was damaged after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, security sources said. |
| Blame exchanged | Blame exchanged |
| Fatah said it was calling off national unity talks in response to the violence. | Fatah said it was calling off national unity talks in response to the violence. |
| The clashes came as Hamas marked a year since taking office | The clashes came as Hamas marked a year since taking office |
| "How can the dialogue go on when there is a bomb underneath the table?" Reuters news agency quoted Fatah spokesman Tawfiq Abu Khoussa as saying. | "How can the dialogue go on when there is a bomb underneath the table?" Reuters news agency quoted Fatah spokesman Tawfiq Abu Khoussa as saying. |
| But Hamas laid the blame at Fatah's door. | But Hamas laid the blame at Fatah's door. |
| "The Fatah movement continues to give a factional, political and media cover to the killers. Hamas has therefore decided to suspend all talks with Fatah," spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said. | "The Fatah movement continues to give a factional, political and media cover to the killers. Hamas has therefore decided to suspend all talks with Fatah," spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said. |
| The violence began when two Hamas members died in what the group said was a roadside bomb attack on a convoy by Fatah militants. | The violence began when two Hamas members died in what the group said was a roadside bomb attack on a convoy by Fatah militants. |
| The clashes came as Hamas supporters gathered to mark a year since the party defeated Fatah in Palestinian elections. | The clashes came as Hamas supporters gathered to mark a year since the party defeated Fatah in Palestinian elections. |