Tension grows as three killed in Fatah, Hamas clashes

MIDDLE EAST: Palestinian gunmen clashed in the Gaza Strip early Monday, firing assault rifles and an anti-tank missile and killing three militants in the most serious outbreak of fighting between Fatah and Hamas since the Islamic group took power.

Fatah, which ruled Palestinian politics for four decades, has been fighting with Hamas since the Islamic group won a January parliamentary election. The rivals are vying for control of the security forces, with Hamas becoming increasingly frustrated that international sanctions are preventing it from paying salaries.

The financial tensions combined with the fight for control of the security forces has turned Gaza into a tinderbox, with tensions constantly bubbling just under the surface.

Gunbattles have erupted in the streets of Gaza, where the Fatah-dominated security forces have lax control, especially since Israel pulled out of the coastal area last summer. But Monday's fighting was the most serious, with Fatah gunmen killing one Hamas militant, and Hamas killing two rival fighters.

In Abassan village, east of the Khan Younis refugee camp, tension has been high between Hamas and Fatah for about two months. Early Monday, the sides accused each other of kidnapping members of their party, allegations officially denied by each side.

However, immediately after the denials, a wave of kidnappings took place. Hamas kidnapped three Fatah members, and Fatah briefly captured four Hamas members. The leaderships agreed to release their captives, but gunfire erupted at the exchange.

Hamas claimed Fatah had shot one of its members, who died in the hospital. Hamas then shot two Fatah members in the street. Assault rifles, submachine guns and even an anti-tank missile usually reserved for fighting against Israel were fired in the streets of the Abassan farming community.

Early Monday, gunfire erupted from time to time. Gunmen hid in agricultural fields. A jeep belonging to Fatah or to the Fatah-run Palestinian security forces stood on a village road, more than 100 bullet holes pock-marking its metal sides.

An exchange of fire sent villagers who had gathered around the jeep running in all directions. Clustering in small group, residents bitterly blamed both groups for the violence that had taken over their community.

Children stayed home from school with parents fearing to allow them out in the street. A pool of blood dried in a corner, marking the spot where the Hamas militant had been shot. Tensions remained high.

Meetings between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, of Fatah, and Hamas' Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh have failed to resolve the crisis over control of the security forces.

Abbas, who still wields significant authority and wants to resume long-stalled peace talks with Israel, has stripped the Hamas government of many of its powers and has been trying to get the international community to work through him, and bypass Hamas.

The United States and the European Union consider Hamas, officially sworn to Israel's destruction, a terrorist organization.

The sanctions, combined with Israel's refusal to transfer $55 million in monthly tax revenues it collects for the Palestinian Authority, have made it impossible for the cash-strapped Hamas government to pay its 165,000 workers.

Gaza Strip, Monday, AP