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Five die as Gaza factions clash Eight die as Gaza factions clash
(about 3 hours later)
Five Palestinians have been killed and at least 60 injured in gunfights between rival political factions in the Gaza Strip, hospital sources say. Eight Palestinians, including four civilians, have been killed and about 60 injured in gunfights between rival political factions in the Gaza Strip.
Clashes broke out as militiamen loyal to the ruling party Hamas tried to break up protests by police and civil servants against unpaid wages.Clashes broke out as militiamen loyal to the ruling party Hamas tried to break up protests by police and civil servants against unpaid wages.
The Hamas fighters exchanged fire with security forces loyal to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement.The Hamas fighters exchanged fire with security forces loyal to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement.
Fatah supporters set fire to government buildings in Ramallah in the West Bank.Fatah supporters set fire to government buildings in Ramallah in the West Bank.
Hamas is locked in a power struggle with Fatah.Hamas is locked in a power struggle with Fatah.
In Gaza City, Hamas fighters with guns and clubs moved into a crowd of hundreds of civilian and police protesters gathered near the Palestinian parliament.In Gaza City, Hamas fighters with guns and clubs moved into a crowd of hundreds of civilian and police protesters gathered near the Palestinian parliament.
The Hamas forces began shooting in the air before a gunfight broke out between them and security forces considered loyal to Mr Abbas, the Associated Press reported. The Hamas forces began shooting in the air before a gunfight broke out between them and security forces considered loyal to Mr Abbas.
Of the four militiamen killed, one was from the interior ministry force that is loyal to Hamas and the other three were from those elements of the security fources traditionally seen as loyal to Fatah - among them, two members of the presidential guard.
Gunmen from both sides fired at each other from positions on rooftops near the building.Gunmen from both sides fired at each other from positions on rooftops near the building.
In Ramallah, supporters of Mr Abbas set the Hamas prime minister's office ablaze after marching through the city burning tires and shouting "Hamas, out, out".In Ramallah, supporters of Mr Abbas set the Hamas prime minister's office ablaze after marching through the city burning tires and shouting "Hamas, out, out".
Aid freezeAid freeze
Earlier, violence broke out in Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip, as Hamas militiamen clashed with gunmen in a district seen as a Fatah stronghold.Earlier, violence broke out in Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip, as Hamas militiamen clashed with gunmen in a district seen as a Fatah stronghold.
A gunfight broke out near the Palestinian parliamentSchoolchildren and a television cameraman were among those injured in the day's violence, medics said.A gunfight broke out near the Palestinian parliamentSchoolchildren and a television cameraman were among those injured in the day's violence, medics said.
Hamas government spokesman Ghazi Hamad said the presence of the militia on the streets was necessary to restore order to the Gaza Strip.Hamas government spokesman Ghazi Hamad said the presence of the militia on the streets was necessary to restore order to the Gaza Strip.
"We call our people in order to stop all kinds of clashes and the executive force is put only for imposing order and system, not to be in friction with the citizens or the other security forces," he said."We call our people in order to stop all kinds of clashes and the executive force is put only for imposing order and system, not to be in friction with the citizens or the other security forces," he said.
Mr Abbas's office said he had ordered all members of the security offices to not to participate in the demonstrations.Mr Abbas's office said he had ordered all members of the security offices to not to participate in the demonstrations.
The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says tension in Gaza has been mounting for some time, with government workers going unpaid for six months.The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says tension in Gaza has been mounting for some time, with government workers going unpaid for six months.
The Hamas-led government has been crippled by a freeze in tax and aid payments from Israel, the EU and US because of its refusal to renounce violence or recognise the right of Israel to exist.The Hamas-led government has been crippled by a freeze in tax and aid payments from Israel, the EU and US because of its refusal to renounce violence or recognise the right of Israel to exist.
Attempts to bring Hamas and Fatah together in a unity government were aimed at breaking the deadlock by producing a compromise acceptable to donors.Attempts to bring Hamas and Fatah together in a unity government were aimed at breaking the deadlock by producing a compromise acceptable to donors.
But our correspondent says Sunday's scenes of violence make forging a deal look like a tall order.But our correspondent says Sunday's scenes of violence make forging a deal look like a tall order.