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Hamas hails 'liberation' of Gaza Hamas hails 'liberation' of Gaza
(about 2 hours later)
Hamas militants have hailed a series of military victories over rivals Fatah in the Gaza Strip as a new "liberation" of the territory.Hamas militants have hailed a series of military victories over rivals Fatah in the Gaza Strip as a new "liberation" of the territory.
Fighters seized Fatah's Preventative Security building in Gaza City, the intelligence service headquarters, and overran the town of Rafah.Fighters seized Fatah's Preventative Security building in Gaza City, the intelligence service headquarters, and overran the town of Rafah.
A least 20 Palestinians died as the latest battles raged throughout Gaza.A least 20 Palestinians died as the latest battles raged throughout Gaza.
The top Palestinian umbrella group, the PLO, urged Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to declare a state of emergency. An aide to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas called the Hamas offensive a coup against the Palestinian Authority.
The PLO met Mr Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority and the head of Fatah, and recommended dissolving the three-month-old government of national unity. Nabil Abu Rudeineh told the BBC that Mr Abbas was likely to dismiss the government and call new elections.
What happened today in the Preventive Security headquarters was the second liberation of the Gaza Strip Sami Abu ZuhriHamas spokesman class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/6751949.stm">Gaza medics speak out That government was formed in an attempt to end the violence between the rival Hamas and Fatah factions. Gaza has been the focal point for a violent and bitter power struggle between Hamas and Fatah since Hamas won a surprise election victory in early 2006.
Mr Abbas, who is due to make a statement in the next few hours, appears to have no easy options open to him. What happened today in the Preventive Security headquarters was the second liberation of the Gaza Strip Sami Abu ZuhriHamas spokesman class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/6751949.stm">Gaza helpers speak out
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool, in Ramallah in the West Bank, says that while the situation is fairly calm there, Mr Abbas now has little control over Gaza and could have major problems implementing any emergency rule. Hamas, an Islamic organisation, rose to prominence in Gaza during two Palestinian uprisings, and refuses to recognise or negotiate with Israel.
The EU and US voiced international concern, with the EU suspending aid operations in Gaza in response to "suicidal" violence. Fatah, a secular political grouping headed by Mr Abbas, ran the Palestinian Authority before 2006 and officially recognises the Jewish state.
There were also reports that at least four young Palestinians were killed by an explosion in Rafah. The two groups are nominally working together in a three-month-old government of national unity.
Israel denied its forces had fired in the area, the Associated Press reported. But Mr Abbas was advised throughout Thursday to dismiss the government and possibly impose a state of emergency.
Gun battles 'Executions'
Throughout Thursday Hamas fighters targeted four key security and intelligence compounds in and around Gaza City. In Thursday's fighting, Hamas targeted four key security and intelligence compounds in and around Gaza City.
There were scenes of looting and celebration from Hamas troops as they seized control of the Preventative Security and Gaza's intelligence headquarters.
Rivals: Fatah and HamasRivals: Fatah and Hamas
Outside the Preventative Security building Fatah men stripped to the waist were led from the building by the victors. There were scenes of looting and celebration from Hamas militants as they seized control of the Preventative Security and Gaza's intelligence headquarters.
The AP reported that several men were shot and killed in plain sight, while a Hamas TV station showed pictures of militants tramping triumphantly through the ransacked HQ. Several reports accused Hamas of shooting dead defeated Fatah fighters in front of the building.
"They are executing them one by one," one witness told the Associated Press.
A Hamas TV station showed pictures of militants tramping triumphantly through the ransacked HQ, reviled by Hamas as a symbol of Fatah's violent offensives against the Islamic group during the 1990s.
The era of justice and Islamic rule have arrived Hamas spokesman Gaza residents talk In pictures: Gaza fighting Send us your comments
A Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, said: "What happened today in the Preventive Security headquarters was the second liberation of the Gaza Strip," referring to the Israeli withdrawal of troops and settlers in 2005.A Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, said: "What happened today in the Preventive Security headquarters was the second liberation of the Gaza Strip," referring to the Israeli withdrawal of troops and settlers in 2005.
Earlier this week, Hamas issued an ultimatum to Fatah militants in Gaza to lay down their weapons by 1600 GMT on Friday or risk having them taken from them. "We are telling our people that the past era has ended and will not return," another spokesman told AP.
Truce conditions "The era of justice and Islamic rule have arrived."
Thursday's fighting came despite a call from Mr Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, of Hamas, for all sides to halt the fighting. World concern
Without a ceasefire and stopping of the fighting I think the situation will collapse in Gaza Mahmoud AbbasPalestinian Authority President class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/6745145.stm">Gaza residents talk class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6749461.stm">In pictures: Gaza fighting class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6622&edition=1">Send us your comments Thursday's fighting came despite calls from around the world for an end to the fighting.
The Islamist movement has made a series of demands, including appointing an interior minister responsible for all Palestinian security forces and shared control of Gaza's boundaries and borders.
Analysts say that if the fighting is not checked, Palestinians could be split into a Fatah-dominated West Bank and Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
The international community has called for a ceasefire, and Arab League head Amr Moussa said the fighting was destroying the Palestinian cause.The international community has called for a ceasefire, and Arab League head Amr Moussa said the fighting was destroying the Palestinian cause.
The EU and US have voiced international concern. with the EU suspending aid operations in Gaza in response to "suicidal" violence.
Meanwhile, there were also reports that at least four young Palestinians were killed by an explosion in Rafah.
However, Israel denied its forces had fired in the area.
Are you in Gaza? Have you been caught up in the violence? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Are you in Gaza? Have you been caught up in the violence? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
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