2ND Five killed in rising Hamas-Fatah tensions in Gaza

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Sunday October 1, 2006

Gaza/Ramallah- Five persons were killed in day-long clashes and violence between militants of the Fatah movement's armed wing and security forces linked with the ruling Hamas on Sunday. In the latest incident, dozens of Palestinian militants, members of Fatah movement's armed wing, stormed the building of Hamas-led cabinet on Sunday and set fire to its rooms, eyewitnesses and security sources said.

The witnesses said that the militants broke into the cabinet building ruled by the Hamas movement in protest to the violent fighting in the Gaza Strip between security officers and Hamas- auxiliary force militants.

Palestinian medics in Gaza said that two more persons were killed, boosting to five the number of persons killed in violence on Sunday amid a day-long exchange of fire in clashes near the headquarters of the Hamas-dominated Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).

The new violence also raised to more than 50 the number of persons wounded on Sunday.

The troubles erupted in Gaza Strip after Interior Minister Said Siam gave instructions to his auxiliary force to prevent by force the protests of the security and police officers seeking payment of their back wages.

Following the clashes, Fatah and Hamas movements traded accusations over who was responsible for the violence.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah's armed wing, threatened to target Hamas institutions in the West Bank in response to an attack on security and police officers by Hamas auxiliary force in Gaza.

Earlier, fierce clashes took place around the headquarters of the Hamas-dominated Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) as Hamas forces exchanged fire with security officers who tried to take over the parliament, witnesses said.

In the exchange of fire, a police officer was killed, as well as two passersby who were not involved in the clashes, Palestinian security sources said.

Palestinian police and security officers have mounted numerous protests over the past number of days demanding payment of long- overdue wages, in some cases setting up roadblocks, burning tyres and shooting into the air.

Police and security officers blame the Hamas government as responsible for the non-payment of salaries. Hamas, regarded by the European Union and the United States as a terrorist organization, has been under an international financial blockade since winning a surprise victory in January elections.

Hospital sources had earlier said that two of the victims of Sunday's clashes were a 36-year-old security officer and a 15-year- old boy.

Hamas Interior Minister Said Saim had on Saturday night ordered the use of force to quell the protests.

Tensions between Hamas and the former ruling Fatah party of President Mahmoud Abbas have risen after Abbas and Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya failed to form a Palestinian national unity government.

Clashes were also reported east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency