This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6651731.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Fresh fighting breaks Gaza truce Factional clashes renewed in Gaza
(about 2 hours later)
Renewed fighting in the Gaza Strip has broken a truce between rival Palestinian factions just hours after it came into effect early on Monday. Fighting has broken out in the Gaza Strip for a second day, with two people killed and at least 10 wounded as rival Palestinian factions exchanged fire.
Two people are reported to have been killed and at least 10 wounded as Fatah and Hamas gunmen exchanged fire. A truce agreed late on Sunday between Fatah and Hamas was broken just hours after it came into effect.
Egyptian mediators brokered a truce late on Sunday after five people were killed and 18 injured. Senior official Saeb Erekat said if the violence was allowed to continue there was no point in having a government.
It was the worst day of violence in Gaza since Hamas and Fatah agreed in February to form a unity government. Sunday's violence was the worst in a single day since the two sides agreed to form a unity government in February.
Five people were killed and 18 injured.
Egyptian mediators brokered an agreement between the factions to pull their armed men off the streets, dismantle roadblocks and return a number of hostages taken on Sunday.Egyptian mediators brokered an agreement between the factions to pull their armed men off the streets, dismantle roadblocks and return a number of hostages taken on Sunday.
The truce was intended to come into effect at 0100 on Monday (2200 GMT Sunday) but within hours fighting had broken out with both sides claiming the other had attacked its members. The truce was intended to come into effect at 0100 on Monday (2200 GMT Sunday) but within hours fighting had broken out, with both sides claiming the other had attacked its members.
Factional clashesFactional clashes
Mr Erekat described the violence, together with the abduction of BBC journalist Alan Johnston nine weeks ago, as "despicable scenes".
"I am ashamed as a Palestinian this morning to see the continuation of such chaos. If the government cannot deliver on this one authority, one gun, the rule of law, I believe there is no purpose to have a government," he told the BBC.
"Society can't stand - no social fabric can be maintained if you have multiple authorities and multiple guns.
"Any society, any society on the earth must understand that the one authority, the one gun, the rule of law is the essence of society. And that's it - this is absent now from Gaza."
Sunday's violence began when a leader of the Fatah-linked al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades was ambushed and shot dead.Sunday's violence began when a leader of the Fatah-linked al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades was ambushed and shot dead.
The death of Baha Abu Jarab sparked a series of factional clashes.The death of Baha Abu Jarab sparked a series of factional clashes.
His driver also died in the ambush, which the Brigades blamed on the armed wing of Hamas.His driver also died in the ambush, which the Brigades blamed on the armed wing of Hamas.
Hamas denied the claim, but two Palestinians reportedly linked to Hamas were later killed near a mosque in Gaza City, and nine more people were injured. Hamas denied the claim, but two Palestinians reportedly linked to Hamas were later killed near a mosque in Gaza City, and nine more people were injured, many of them members of Hamas.
Most of those wounded were members of Hamas, medical sources told AFP news agency.
Not only the future of the government, but the future of all the Palestinian people will be endangered if these bloody acts continue Mustafa BarghoutiPalestinian Information Minister
Later, three people were wounded during Abu Jarab's funeral procession in Jabaliya, witnesses said.Later, three people were wounded during Abu Jarab's funeral procession in Jabaliya, witnesses said.
Back in Gaza City, masked gunmen abducted a Hamas religious scholar as he left a mosque, his family and Hamas officials said.
Ali Sharif, a teacher at the Islamic University in his 70s, was taken outside his home in Sabra neighbourhood.
Hamas later issued a statement saying that 70 of its members had been abducted, the BBC's Aleem Maqbool reports from Ramallah in the West Bank.
But Egyptian officials reached a deal to pull gunmen off the streets and ease tensions.
Security operationSecurity operation
Sunday's fighting was the worst outbreak of violence since a February ceasefire between the rival factions, who established a unity government in March.Sunday's fighting was the worst outbreak of violence since a February ceasefire between the rival factions, who established a unity government in March.
Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti called for the rival factions to control their armed forces. Up to 400 people have died in clashes between the two factions since the Islamist Hamas won last year's parliamentary elections.
"Not only the future of the government, but the future of all the Palestinian people will be endangered if these bloody acts continue," he said. Last week, Hamas and Fatah launched a major security operation to crack down on the violence and lawlessness.
Last week, Hamas and Fatah launched a major security operation to crack down on violence and lawlessness in Gaza.
As many as 3,000 police were reported to have taken part in the initial operations.
Officials said troops loyal to both Fatah and Hamas would now wear the same police uniform and answer to the interior ministry, which has been placed under the control of Hani Qawasmi, a political independent in the coalition government.Officials said troops loyal to both Fatah and Hamas would now wear the same police uniform and answer to the interior ministry, which has been placed under the control of Hani Qawasmi, a political independent in the coalition government.
Up to 400 people have died in clashes between Palestinian factions since the Islamist Hamas won last year's parliamentary elections.
Since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, the strip has seen a wave of infighting, armed robberies, deadly family feuds and kidnappings.Since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, the strip has seen a wave of infighting, armed robberies, deadly family feuds and kidnappings.