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Palestinian PM urges calm in Gaza Palestinian PM urges calm in Gaza
(10 minutes later)
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya has urged an end to in-fighting after days of clashes between his Hamas faction and the rival Fatah group.Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya has urged an end to in-fighting after days of clashes between his Hamas faction and the rival Fatah group.
In a move which may ease tensions, Mr Haniya said all Palestinians would "remain united" in a common cause.In a move which may ease tensions, Mr Haniya said all Palestinians would "remain united" in a common cause.
Violence has flared since Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday called for new elections, a move the Hamas-led government branded a "coup".Violence has flared since Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday called for new elections, a move the Hamas-led government branded a "coup".
Mr Abbas has called for all factions to respect a truce agreed on Sunday.Mr Abbas has called for all factions to respect a truce agreed on Sunday.
In a televised address in Gaza City, Mr Haniya said the Palestinian cause would "not be derailed by internal struggles" in the face of the Israeli occupation.In a televised address in Gaza City, Mr Haniya said the Palestinian cause would "not be derailed by internal struggles" in the face of the Israeli occupation.
"The smallest drop of Palestinian blood is dear to us and it should not be spilled except to defend our land. We are all aboard the same boat," he said."The smallest drop of Palestinian blood is dear to us and it should not be spilled except to defend our land. We are all aboard the same boat," he said.
Both sides used to fight the Israelis together. Now they are directing their weapons toward each other Suleiman TumanPalestinian shopkeeper Lethal tensions Gaza clashes in pictures Palestinian viewpoints Mr Haniya repeated his opposition to Mr Abbas' call for early elections, on the grounds it was "unconstitutional".Both sides used to fight the Israelis together. Now they are directing their weapons toward each other Suleiman TumanPalestinian shopkeeper Lethal tensions Gaza clashes in pictures Palestinian viewpoints Mr Haniya repeated his opposition to Mr Abbas' call for early elections, on the grounds it was "unconstitutional".
He also reiterated an appeal for a long-term truce with Israel and the formation of a temporary Palestinian state alongside the Jewish state.He also reiterated an appeal for a long-term truce with Israel and the formation of a temporary Palestinian state alongside the Jewish state.
The Palestinian prime minister blamed Mr Abbas for contributing to the economic and political isolation of the Hamas government - and accused the US of being behind efforts to topple it.The Palestinian prime minister blamed Mr Abbas for contributing to the economic and political isolation of the Hamas government - and accused the US of being behind efforts to topple it.
Mr Haniya's speech followed a day of street battles in which at least five people were killed and more injured.Mr Haniya's speech followed a day of street battles in which at least five people were killed and more injured.
Schools were closed after at least five children were among those hurt.Schools were closed after at least five children were among those hurt.
In Tuesday's violence:In Tuesday's violence:
  • An attempt to take an injured Fatah militant to a Gaza hospital sparked a battle between Fatah intelligence officers and Hamas militiamen. One Hamas fighter was killed and several injured
  • An attempt to take an injured Fatah militant to a Gaza hospital sparked a battle between Fatah intelligence officers and Hamas militiamen. One Hamas fighter was killed and several injured
  • In an apparent revenge attack, the headquarters of the pro-Fatah intelligence service near Gaza City came under mortar fire
  • In an apparent revenge attack, the headquarters of the pro-Fatah intelligence service near Gaza City came under mortar fire
  • A convoy of pro-Fatah militants was ambushed in Gaza City. Two Fatah militants were killed and nine bystanders injured, including five children, medical sources said.
  • A convoy of pro-Fatah militants was ambushed in Gaza City. Two Fatah militants were killed and nine bystanders injured, including five children, medical sources said.
    • There has been unrest since Mr Abbas - who heads Fatah - called for early elections, sparking fears of a descent into full civil war.There has been unrest since Mr Abbas - who heads Fatah - called for early elections, sparking fears of a descent into full civil war.
    Masked Hamas gunmen set up makeshift roadblocks in Gaza CityMasked Hamas gunmen set up makeshift roadblocks in Gaza City
    In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Abbas called on "all, without exception, to adhere to a ceasefire and to end the killings and all other operations in order to maintain our national unity".In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Abbas called on "all, without exception, to adhere to a ceasefire and to end the killings and all other operations in order to maintain our national unity".
    Gaza shopkeeper Suleiman Tuman, who witnessed some of the latest violence, told the Associated Press news agency: "I've been praying to God that this is going to end.Gaza shopkeeper Suleiman Tuman, who witnessed some of the latest violence, told the Associated Press news agency: "I've been praying to God that this is going to end.
    "Both sides used to fight the Israelis together. Now they are directing their weapons toward each other.""Both sides used to fight the Israelis together. Now they are directing their weapons toward each other."
    Jordan's King Abdullah has offered to host talks between Mr Haniya and Mr Abbas.Jordan's King Abdullah has offered to host talks between Mr Haniya and Mr Abbas.
    He said his country would do all it could "to help the Palestinians overcome their differences".He said his country would do all it could "to help the Palestinians overcome their differences".
    Talks offer Factional rivalry
    While Fatah, through Mahmoud Abbas, controls the presidency, Hamas, which won elections in January, runs the government.While Fatah, through Mahmoud Abbas, controls the presidency, Hamas, which won elections in January, runs the government.
    GROWING TENSIONS 9 Dec - Mr Abbas suggests early polls. Hamas denounces the idea11 Dec - Three sons of a Fatah security chief are shot on their way to school14 Dec - Hamas PM Ismail Haniya's convoy comes under fire as he returns from Egypt, killing a bodyguard. Hamas blames Fatah16 Dec - Mr Abbas says he will call early elections; Hamas calls the move a "coup"17 Dec - A truce is called after street battles between Hamas and Fatah but violence continues Q&A: Palestinian crisisGROWING TENSIONS 9 Dec - Mr Abbas suggests early polls. Hamas denounces the idea11 Dec - Three sons of a Fatah security chief are shot on their way to school14 Dec - Hamas PM Ismail Haniya's convoy comes under fire as he returns from Egypt, killing a bodyguard. Hamas blames Fatah16 Dec - Mr Abbas says he will call early elections; Hamas calls the move a "coup"17 Dec - A truce is called after street battles between Hamas and Fatah but violence continues Q&A: Palestinian crisis
    Fighting between the factions has paralysed Hamas' administration, which has also been crippled by an international embargo against it.Fighting between the factions has paralysed Hamas' administration, which has also been crippled by an international embargo against it.
    Hamas refuses to renounce violence or recognise Israel - a crucial demand of the international community.Hamas refuses to renounce violence or recognise Israel - a crucial demand of the international community.
    Fatah believes that ending anti-Israel attacks is the key to forcing Israel into negotiations on an independent Palestinian statehood.Fatah believes that ending anti-Israel attacks is the key to forcing Israel into negotiations on an independent Palestinian statehood.
    Increased poverty and months of Israeli operations have polarised Palestinian factional rivalry further, correspondents say.Increased poverty and months of Israeli operations have polarised Palestinian factional rivalry further, correspondents say.