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Seven killed in 'ambush by Hamas' | Seven killed in 'ambush by Hamas' |
(30 minutes later) | |
Palestinian gunmen from the militant Hamas group have attacked pro-Fatah forces near the Gaza-Israel border, killing at least seven people. | Palestinian gunmen from the militant Hamas group have attacked pro-Fatah forces near the Gaza-Israel border, killing at least seven people. |
Pro-Fatah security officials described it as a major Hamas ambush on a Presidential Guards training camp. | Pro-Fatah security officials described it as a major Hamas ambush on a Presidential Guards training camp. |
The clash took place near the key Karni crossing point, and drew fire from Israeli troops guarding the border. | The clash took place near the key Karni crossing point, and drew fire from Israeli troops guarding the border. |
At least 16 people have died in Gaza since Sunday in the worst outbreak of factional violence in several months. | At least 16 people have died in Gaza since Sunday in the worst outbreak of factional violence in several months. |
The Palestinian government says it has mobilised all of its security forces in an attempt to stop the violence. | |
We consider this a serious provocation and a crime committed in cold blood Pro-Fatah security force spokesman But the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in the West Bank says in many cases it is the security forces themselves who are involved in the fighting. | |
Reports say the Karni fighting erupted when Hamas gunmen approached a training base used by the pro-Fatah Presidential Guard which is responsible for security on the Palestinian side of the Karni crossing. | Reports say the Karni fighting erupted when Hamas gunmen approached a training base used by the pro-Fatah Presidential Guard which is responsible for security on the Palestinian side of the Karni crossing. |
'Serious provocation' | 'Serious provocation' |
A Presidential Guard spokesman said the Karni base was attacked with rockets, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars, in remarks quoted by Associated Press. | A Presidential Guard spokesman said the Karni base was attacked with rockets, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars, in remarks quoted by Associated Press. |
After the ambush, bodies were seen strewn in the grass near an overturned security vehicle. | After the ambush, bodies were seen strewn in the grass near an overturned security vehicle. |
The base had been set up with US assistance to train Palestinian security forces monitoring the crossing. | The base had been set up with US assistance to train Palestinian security forces monitoring the crossing. |
The recruits there are largely unarmed, Presidential Guard spokesman Ahmed Kaisi is quoted as saying. | The recruits there are largely unarmed, Presidential Guard spokesman Ahmed Kaisi is quoted as saying. |
"We consider this a serious provocation and a crime committed in cold blood," he said. | "We consider this a serious provocation and a crime committed in cold blood," he said. |
There has been no confirmation from Hamas of its fighters being involved in the clash. | There has been no confirmation from Hamas of its fighters being involved in the clash. |
At one point, the Israeli army said its troops opened fire at a group of gunmen who approached the border. | At one point, the Israeli army said its troops opened fire at a group of gunmen who approached the border. |
Witnesses said the Hamas force quickly withdrew when three Israeli tanks approached the Karni training camp. | Witnesses said the Hamas force quickly withdrew when three Israeli tanks approached the Karni training camp. |
Attack on Hamas | Attack on Hamas |
On Monday, Interior Minister Hani Qawasmi resigned amid the violence, prompting Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya to take personal control of security in Gaza. | On Monday, Interior Minister Hani Qawasmi resigned amid the violence, prompting Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya to take personal control of security in Gaza. |
Overnight, a member of its armed wing was reportedly shot dead and another supporter was wounded in eastern Gaza City, when unknown gunmen ambushed a minibus carrying Hamas fighters. | Overnight, a member of its armed wing was reportedly shot dead and another supporter was wounded in eastern Gaza City, when unknown gunmen ambushed a minibus carrying Hamas fighters. |
Another Hamas loyalist was reported wounded when gunmen opened fire near a checkpoint controlled by pro-Fatah security officers. | Another Hamas loyalist was reported wounded when gunmen opened fire near a checkpoint controlled by pro-Fatah security officers. |
The latest round of killing erupted on Sunday when five people died and 18 were injured in inter-factional clashes, ending a period of relative calm since Hamas and Fatah members joined a unity government in a bid to end a period of chaos in the Gaza Strip. | The latest round of killing erupted on Sunday when five people died and 18 were injured in inter-factional clashes, ending a period of relative calm since Hamas and Fatah members joined a unity government in a bid to end a period of chaos in the Gaza Strip. |
Up to 400 people have died in clashes between the Fatah and Hamas factions since Hamas won parliamentary elections in January 2006. | Up to 400 people have died in clashes between the Fatah and Hamas factions since Hamas won parliamentary elections in January 2006. |