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Fighters pour into troubled Gaza Gaza faction boosts police ranks
(about 1 hour later)
About 500 Fatah loyalists have entered the Gaza Strip from Egypt, as possible reinforcements in Palestinian factional fighting with its main rival Hamas. About 500 Fatah loyalists have returned to Gaza from police training in Egypt as factional fighting escalates with Fatah's main Palestinian rival, Hamas.
Earlier, gunmen attacked a Fatah loyalist security base, killing eight people - the worst incident in three days of bloodshed. Ten people have died in the latest violence, including eight in an attack on a Fatah security base - the worst incident in three days of bloodshed.
A Fatah official denied the force would join fighting against Hamas, but would "protect the security" of Palestinians. A Fatah official denied the returning force would fight Hamas, saying it would give Palestinians security.
He confirmed the men had been sent for special police training in Egypt. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has urged an end to the fighting.
"The role of the security forces is to protect the security of the Palestinian people and not to take part in internal fighting," said Tawfiq Abu Khoussa. But BBC Jerusalem correspondent Katya Adler says the latest events in Gaza appear to be a significant escalation in the factional fighting, pushing the region closer to all-out civil conflict.
We consider this a serious provocation and a crime committed in cold blood Pro-Fatah security force spokesman class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6657349.stm">Press split on crisis The force is reported to be under the command of Muhammad Dahlan, national security adviser to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Ambush
The Fatah official, Tawfiq Abu Khoussa, said of the returning men: "The role of the security forces is to protect the security of the Palestinian people and not to take part in internal fighting."
Press split on crisis Gaza city viewpoint
The force is reported to be under the command of Muhammad Dahlan, national security adviser to Mr Abbas, who also leads Fatah.
At least 17 people have died in Gaza since Sunday in the worst outbreak of factional violence in several months.At least 17 people have died in Gaza since Sunday in the worst outbreak of factional violence in several months.
Training camp Tuesday's attack on the Fatah base took place near the key Karni crossing point, and drew fire from Israeli troops guarding the border.
Tuesday's clash took place near the key Karni crossing point, and drew fire from Israeli troops guarding the border.
Reports say the fighting erupted when suspected 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 fighting erupted when suspected 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.
class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/6655085.stm">Gaza city viewpoint A Presidential Guard spokesman told Associated Press the Karni base was attacked with rockets, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.
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 recruits there are largely unarmed, Presidential Guard spokesman Ahmed Kaisi is quoted as saying.
A spokesman for the Hamas paramilitary Executive Force denied its members were involved in the clash.A spokesman for the Hamas paramilitary Executive Force denied its members were involved in the clash.
It followed the killing of two Hamas members in ambushes overnight. The head of the Palestinian Energy Authority said electricity in Gaza could be shut down by Wednesday because the fighting near Karni had stopped fuel trucks arriving.
Also on Tuesday, Hamas accused Fatah of killing one of its commanders, and Fatah said Hamas killed a pro-Fatah security officer and wounded three others near Gaza City.
Civil strifeCivil strife
The fighting, and Monday's resignation of Interior Minister Hani Qawasmi, has dealt a major blow to the two-month-old national unity government set up by Islamist Hamas and its secular rival Fatah. The fighting, and Monday's resignation of Interior Minister Hani Qawasmi, have dealt a major blow to the two-month-old national unity government set up by Islamist Hamas and its secular rival Fatah.
An Israeli tank observes the attack on the base near Karni
In a speech marking Nakba (Catastrophe) Day, the anniversary of the establishment of Israel in 1948, Mr Abbas called for an immediate implementation of a security plan to halt the internal fighting.In a speech marking Nakba (Catastrophe) Day, the anniversary of the establishment of Israel in 1948, Mr Abbas called for an immediate implementation of a security plan to halt the internal fighting.
"We must do that ... without any reluctance or delay, to put an end to civil strife and the ghost of internal fighting," he said.
In a separate speech, Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas urged people to work together to protect the national unity government.In a separate speech, Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas urged people to work together to protect the national unity government.
"Our determination cannot be broken," he said. "We have said that we are going to give the politics a chance, but we are not going to drop our weapons until the [Israeli] occupation evacuates our land and justice and security and peace prevail." UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said she was "deeply concerned" by the rising violence.
Up to 170 people have died in clashes between the Fatah and Hamas factions since Hamas won parliamentary elections in January 2006. She said: "This fighting is senseless: it endangers civilians, makes it harder for the international community to help the people of Gaza and undermines the peace process."
Up to 170 people have died in clashes between Fatah and Hamas since the latter won parliamentary elections in January 2006.
Israel withdrew its settlers and troops from Gaza in 2005, but kept control of its borders, airspace and territorial water.Israel withdrew its settlers and troops from Gaza in 2005, but kept control of its borders, airspace and territorial water.