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Gun clashes follow Gaza killings Gaza 'truce' after factions clash
(about 5 hours later)
At least four people have been killed in a surge of violent clashes between rival factions in Gaza. Egyptian mediators are reported to have brokered a truce after at least five people were killed and 18 injured in a day of violence in the Gaza Strip.
A leader of the Fatah-linked al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Baha Abu Jarab, was ambushed and shot dead, along with his driver, in northern Beit Lahiya. Dozens more were apparently abducted in the worst fighting since rival factions Hamas and Fatah agreed to form a unity government in a February deal.
Fatah blamed rival group Hamas, which denied the claim. At least two people died in gunfights after those killings. Sunday's violence flared after a leader of the Fatah-linked al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades was ambushed and shot dead.
The attacks come days after the groups launched a major security operation to crack down on violence in Gaza. His death, in the town of Beit Lahiya, sparked a series of factional clashes.
Following the shooting of Abu Jarab and his driver, two Palestinians were killed and nine wounded in clashes between Hamas and Fatah gunmen outside a mosque in Gaza City. Baha Abu Jarab's driver also died in the ambush, which the Brigades blamed on the armed wing of Hamas.
Hamas denied the claim, but two Palestinians reportedly linked to Hamas were later killed near a mosque in Gaza City, and nine more people were injured.
Most of those wounded were members of Hamas, medical sources told AFP news agency.Most of those wounded were members of Hamas, medical sources told AFP news agency.
Not only the future of the government, but the future of all the Palestinian people will be endangered if these bloody acts continue Mustafa BarghoutiPalestinian Information MinisterNot only the future of the government, but the future of all the Palestinian people will be endangered if these bloody acts continue Mustafa BarghoutiPalestinian Information Minister
Later, three people were wounded during Abu Jarab's funeral procession in Jabaliya, witnesses said.Later, three people were wounded during Abu Jarab's funeral procession in Jabaliya, witnesses said.
Back in Gaza City, masked gunmen abducted a Hamas religious scholar as he left a mosque, his family and Hamas officials said.Back in Gaza City, masked gunmen abducted a Hamas religious scholar as he left a mosque, his family and Hamas officials said.
Ali Sharif, a teacher at the Islamic University in his 70s, was taken outside his home in Sabra neighbourhood.Ali Sharif, a teacher at the Islamic University in his 70s, was taken outside his home in Sabra neighbourhood.
The kidnappers opened fire when neighbours tried to rescue him, his daughter told Associated Press news agency. Hamas later issued a statement saying that 70 of its members had been abducted, the BBC's Aleem Maqbool reports from Ramallah in the West Bank.
But Egyptian officials told news agencies that a Sunday night deal was reached to pull gunmen off the streets and ease tensions.
Security operationSecurity operation
It is the worst outbreak of fighting since a February ceasefire between the rival factions, who established a unity government in March. Sunday's fighting was the worst outbreak of violence since a February ceasefire between the rival factions, who established a unity government in March.
Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti called for the rival factions to control their armed forces.Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti called for the rival factions to control their armed forces.
"Not only the future of the government, but the future of all the Palestinian people will be endangered if these bloody acts continue," he said."Not only the future of the government, but the future of all the Palestinian people will be endangered if these bloody acts continue," he said.
Last week, Hamas and Fatah launched a major security operation to crack down on violence and lawlessness in Gaza.Last week, Hamas and Fatah launched a major security operation to crack down on violence and lawlessness in Gaza.
As many as 3,000 police were reported to have taken part in the initial operations.As many as 3,000 police were reported to have taken part in the initial operations.
Officials said that troops loyal to both Fatah and Hamas would now wear the same police uniform and answer to the interior ministry, which has been placed under the control of Hani Qawasmi, a political independent in the coalition government.Officials said that troops loyal to both Fatah and Hamas would now wear the same police uniform and answer to the interior ministry, which has been placed under the control of Hani Qawasmi, a political independent in the coalition government.
Up to 400 people have died in clashes between Palestinian factions since the Islamist Hamas won last year's parliamentary elections.Up to 400 people have died in clashes between Palestinian factions since the Islamist Hamas won last year's parliamentary elections.
Since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, the strip has seen a wave of infighting, armed robberies, deadly family feuds and kidnappings.Since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, the strip has seen a wave of infighting, armed robberies, deadly family feuds and kidnappings.