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Hamas takes full control of Gaza Hamas takes full control of Gaza
(30 minutes later)
An uneasy calm has returned to the Gaza Strip where Hamas is in full control following a series of attacks on key strongholds of its rival, Fatah.An uneasy calm has returned to the Gaza Strip where Hamas is in full control following a series of attacks on key strongholds of its rival, Fatah.
On its first day of rule, Hamas said it had released several top Fatah military commanders under a prisoner "amnesty".On its first day of rule, Hamas said it had released several top Fatah military commanders under a prisoner "amnesty".
At least 100 people have died during a week of factional fighting.At least 100 people have died during a week of factional fighting.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has dissolved the Hamas-led unity government and is expected to name a caretaker administration within hours.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has dissolved the Hamas-led unity government and is expected to name a caretaker administration within hours.
However, Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, of Hamas, said his government would ignore Mr Abbas's "hasty decision" and would press on and impose decisive law and order.However, Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, of Hamas, said his government would ignore Mr Abbas's "hasty decision" and would press on and impose decisive law and order.
Relative calmRelative calm
On Friday, vehicles returned to the roads and shops were open in Gaza. Few armed men were visible on the streets and there were reports of only sporadic gunfire.On Friday, vehicles returned to the roads and shops were open in Gaza. Few armed men were visible on the streets and there were reports of only sporadic gunfire.
Q&A: Gaza chaos West Bank fears href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6755579.stm">Breaking point? Q&A: Gaza chaos West Bank fears href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6756239.stm">Reaction in quotes
The relative calm followed scenes of violence on Thursday as Hamas fighters seized remaining Fatah positions including the headquarters of Fatah's Preventative Security force and the presidential compound in Gaza City. The relative calm followed scenes of violence on Thursday as Hamas fighters seized remaining Fatah positions including the headquarters of the Preventative Security force and the presidential compound in Gaza City.
Hamas said it had captured several top Fatah military leaders, including the commanders of the National Security force and of the Presidential Guard. Hamas said it had captured several top Fatah military leaders, including the commanders of the National Security force and of the Presidential Guard but would release them unharmed.
However, the Islamist group later said it would release them unharmed as part of an "amnesty". Meanwhile, Egyptian police said that 97 senior Fatah officials had fled from Gaza into Egypt overnight aboard a fishing boat.
Meanwhile, Egyptian police said that about 100 senior Fatah officials had fled from Gaza into Egypt overnight aboard a fishing boat. The group came with their weapons, which included automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. Thirteen of the men had been injured in the fighting with Hamas.
The Palestinian officials are thought to belong to Fatah's Preventive Security forces. They were transferred to police camps in Egypt where the wounded received treatment. The Egyptian police handed the Palestinians to the army which transferred them to a military base, where the wounded received treatment.
About 200 other Fatah security workers have already sought refuge in Egypt, officials said. About 100 other Fatah security workers have already sought refuge in Egypt.
Hamas said it planned to take control of the Gaza-Egypt border crossing, which was patrolled by Fatah's Presidential Guard until the outbreak of violence on Saturday. A further 3,000 Palestinian civilians are now stranded on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing which is closed. Rafah provides the people of Gaza with their only point of access to the outside world.
Hamas has said it intends to take control of Gaza's crossing point into Egypt which had been monitored by European observers until the outbreak of violence on Saturday.
Rule by decreeRule by decree
President Abbas dismissed the three-month-old unity government on Thursday and declared a state of emergency.President Abbas dismissed the three-month-old unity government on Thursday and declared a state of emergency.
He is expected to name an interim administration on Friday. He has said he will rule by presidential decree until the conditions are right for early elections.He is expected to name an interim administration on Friday. He has said he will rule by presidential decree until the conditions are right for early elections.
UK concern over Gaza Voices: Life under Hamas Gaza: Have Your SayUK concern over Gaza Voices: Life under Hamas Gaza: Have Your Say
Under the Palestinian Basic Law, essentially the Palestinian constitution, the president can rule by decree for 30 days. This can be extended with the approval of the parliament.Under the Palestinian Basic Law, essentially the Palestinian constitution, the president can rule by decree for 30 days. This can be extended with the approval of the parliament.
The BBC's Matthew Price in Jerusalem says this may be an irrelevance, as Mr Abbas appears to no longer have any influence in Gaza.The BBC's Matthew Price in Jerusalem says this may be an irrelevance, as Mr Abbas appears to no longer have any influence in Gaza.
Our correspondent says the West Bank and Gaza Strip will now effectively be split from one another - Gaza run by Hamas and the West Bank by Fatah.Our correspondent says the West Bank and Gaza Strip will now effectively be split from one another - Gaza run by Hamas and the West Bank by Fatah.
There are also fears that violence will spread to the West Bank, where Fatah is dominant. The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, affiliated to Fatah, has called for "martial law".There are also fears that violence will spread to the West Bank, where Fatah is dominant. The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, affiliated to Fatah, has called for "martial law".
Hamas won a surprise victory in Palestinian elections in early 2006 but has since been engaged in an intermittently violent power struggle with Fatah.Hamas won a surprise victory in Palestinian elections in early 2006 but has since been engaged in an intermittently violent power struggle with Fatah.
Hamas, an Islamic organisation, rose to prominence in Gaza during two Palestinian uprisings and refuses to recognise or negotiate with Israel.Hamas, an Islamic organisation, rose to prominence in Gaza during two Palestinian uprisings and refuses to recognise or negotiate with Israel.
Fatah, a secular political grouping headed by Mr Abbas, ran the Palestinian Authority until 2006 and officially recognises Israel.Fatah, a secular political grouping headed by Mr Abbas, ran the Palestinian Authority until 2006 and officially recognises Israel.