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Hamas captures Fatah security HQ Hamas captures Fatah security HQ
(about 1 hour later)
Hamas militants have seized the headquarters of their rival Fatah's Preventive Security force, tightening their control over the Gaza Strip.Hamas militants have seized the headquarters of their rival Fatah's Preventive Security force, tightening their control over the Gaza Strip.
Witnesses said Hamas had raised its flags over the compound in Gaza City, amid reports 14 Palestinians, mostly Fatah security workers, were killed. At least 14 Palestinians, mostly Fatah security workers, were killed in the battle for the compound in Gaza City.
Gun battles continued elsewhere in Gaza with Hamas targeting Fatah's security and political command centres. Hamas is targeting Fatah's security and political command centres across Gaza.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was holding crisis talks with key aides. Meanwhile, the top Palestinian umbrella group, the PLO, has recommended that the unity government be dissolved and a state of emergency declared.
Mr Abbas was expected to make a statement later on Thursday. The recommendation by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) followed a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and senior Fatah members.
Sources close to Mr Abbas told the BBC he is deciding whether to dismantle the Palestinian cabinet, thereby ending the three-month-old unity government that was meant to stop the violence. The three-month-old national unity government was formed in an attempt to end the violence between the rival Hamas and Fatah factions.
The BBC's Tim Franks in Ramallah says Mr Abbas has no easy options open to him - it is one thing to consider ruling by decree, another to have the power for your writ to run.
Mr Abbas is expected to make a statement within the next few hours.
Gun battlesGun battles
Hamas is reported to now control almost the entire Gaza Strip, following five days of intense factional fighting in which at least 80 people have been killed.Hamas is reported to now control almost the entire Gaza Strip, following five days of intense factional fighting in which at least 80 people have been killed.
Rivals: Fatah and HamasRivals: Fatah and Hamas
Hamas militants are targeting Fatah's security and political command centres, following a series of battles on Wednesday in which Hamas made important gains in the north and south. Hamas militants are targeting Fatah's security and political command centres, following a series of battles on Wednesday in which Hamas made significant gains in the north and south.
Fatah denied the Preventative Security force headquarters had fallen, but witnesses said the green flags of Hamas were now flying from the building. Fatah denied the Preventative Security force headquarters had fallen, but a Hamas television station showed pictures of Hamas militants tramping triumphantly through the ransacked HQ.
Hamas later demanded that Fatah abandon another key security post, the National Security complex in Gaza City, which came under a barrage of mortar shells overnight.Hamas later demanded that Fatah abandon another key security post, the National Security complex in Gaza City, which came under a barrage of mortar shells overnight.
In other parts of the Gaza Strip, Fatah forces blew up key positions rather than surrender them, according to AP news agency.In other parts of the Gaza Strip, Fatah forces blew up key positions rather than surrender them, according to AP news agency.
Earlier, 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.Earlier, 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.
Truce conditionsTruce conditions
Thursday's fighting came despite a call from Mr Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, of Hamas, for all sides to halt the fighting.Thursday's fighting came despite a call from Mr Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, of Hamas, for all sides to halt the fighting.
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Ramallah says that after an aggressive military campaign Hamas feels it has now gained enough ground to call the political shots. Our correspondent says that for the time being in Gaza, Hamas firmly has the upper hand.
Without a ceasefire and stopping of the fighting I think the situation will collapse in Gaza Mahmoud AbbasPalestinian Authority President Gaza residents talk In pictures: Gaza fightingWithout a ceasefire and stopping of the fighting I think the situation will collapse in Gaza Mahmoud AbbasPalestinian Authority President Gaza residents talk In pictures: Gaza fighting
The Islamist movement has laid a series of demands on the table which it says Fatah has to agree to if there is to be peace and if the two parties are to continue to govern together.The Islamist movement has laid a series of demands on the table which it says Fatah has to agree to if there is to be peace and if the two parties are to continue to govern together.
The conditions include appointing an interior minister responsible for all Palestinian security forces and shared control of Gaza's boundaries and borders.The conditions include appointing an interior minister responsible for all Palestinian security forces and shared control of Gaza's boundaries and borders.
Mr Abbas is considering these proposals, but it is difficult to see how he or his party are in any position to argue with Hamas, our correspondent says.
Analysts say that if the fighting is not checked, Palestinians could be split into a Fatah-dominated West Bank and Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.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.
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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