New round of factional violence leaves 8 dead and 50 injured

May 14, 2007

Palestinian security forces deployed in the streets in response to the crisis (MaanImages)

Gaza - Ma'an - The death toll of the inter-Palestinian clashes, which erupted anew on Sunday between Fatah and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, rose to eight on Monday, in addition to fifty injuries, after two people were killed in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Palestinian medical sources reported that Anwar Salahiddin Ash-Sha'er, 25, was killed and two others were injured in Khan Younis. According to the medical sources, Ash-Sha'er was already dead when his body arrived at the hospital riddled with bullets.

Our Gaza correspondent quoted eyewitnesses as saying that Ash-Sh'aer was passing by when clashes erupted.

In a separate incident, medical sources at Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City stated that the body of another Palestinian citizen, who had been shot dead, had arrived at the hospital. The body remains unidentified.

The Hamas movement also announced on Monday afternoon that two field leaders of Hamas' armed wing, the Al-Qassam brigades, were injured in Gaza City.

Hamas accused Fatah of being behind the shooting of Mahmoud Abu Khatir, who was seriously injured, and Salah Ahmad, who suffered moderate wounds.

Earlier, Palestinian security and medical sources reported that a Fatah member, Ala' Shber, an aide to the Fatah movement's spokesman in Gaza, Maher Miqdad, had been killed along with another Fatah member, Mohammad al-'Abasi.

Miqdad told Ma'an that his companion was killed and other 10 were injured in an attack by Hamas fighters near his house in Gaza City on Monday morning.

Eyewitnesses reported that the clashes took place in the area of the general intelligence building and the Al-Maqusi area, north-west of Gaza City.

The new round of fighting has occurred despite the agreement reached between the two movements on Sunday night under the auspices of an Egyptian security delegation.

'Armed and deployed on the streets'

Hamas has blamed Fatah for the renewal of violence.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Hamas is implementing the agreement signed last night with the Fatah movement.

He said, "Armed Fatah members and the security services are still deployed in the streets."

Barhoum also accused Fatah of aggravating the incidents.

Two journalists murdered

Two journalists were killed in a shooting attack on Sunday night, during clashes between Fatah and Hamas in Gaza.

Barhoum expressed his sadness "for the death of another employee at 'Falastine' [Palestine] newspaper Mohammad 'Abdo, who was shot at by member of the president's guards. He was with the journalist, Suleiman Al-Ashi, who was killed instantly, 'Abdo was critically injured in the shooting and died on Monday morning when he succumbed to his wounds."

Barhoum gave his condolences to the Falastine newspaper and the families of Al-Ashi and Abdo, calling on President Abbas "to give instructions to arrest the murderers and transfer them to a court of justice."

Barhoum called on Hamas to commit to the new agreement and implement it immediately.

New 'Falastine' newspaper on strike

Falastine newspaper called all journalists and media institutions to participate in the funeral of the journalist Suleiman Al-'Ashi. Following the funeral the organization urged everyone employed in the media to strike outside the Palestinian Legislative Council buildings in Gaza City to condemn the assassinations.

The newspaper appealed to President Abbas, Prime Minister Haniyeh and the minister of the interior to "investigate in the accident attack."

Falastine newspaper was established less than ten days ago and is considered to be loyal to Hamas.

Update:

Palestinian Hamas security officers patrol next to the house of the Palestinian Interior Minister Hani Kawasmeh during a press conference at his house in Gaza City, Monday, May 14, 2007. The Palestinian interior minister stepped down Monday, accusing leaders of thwarting his efforts to halt a new wave of violence that is threatening the survival of the new Palestinian coalition government. The departure of Kawasmeh was a major setback for the government, which was formed in March by rival Fatah and Hamas parties to end months of factional violence. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

"Our determination cannot be broken." "We have said that we are going to give the politics a chance, but we are not going to drop our weapons until the occupation evacuates our land and justice and security and peace prevail."

Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh

Note:

Something that must not be forgotten in this latest outbreak, that Fatah is being backed by the American/Israeli Coalition to destroy the Palestinian people right’s for a real just peace; in the region.