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Gunfire tests latest Gaza truce Dawn raid shatters Gaza ceasefire
(about 4 hours later)
Sporadic gunfire has continued in the Gaza Strip, despite a third ceasefire agreed in as many days by rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah. Gunmen have killed at least four people in a raid on the Gaza home of a Fatah official, ending the third truce in as many days between Palestinian groups.
An Egyptian diplomat was wounded just after the new truce came into force. Previous ones lasted only a few hours. The dawn killings came hours after the ceasefire was agreed by feuding factions Hamas and Fatah.
Earlier on Tuesday, at least 14 people were killed, including eight in one attack on a Fatah training base. Earlier an Egyptian diplomat was shot and wounded. Previous deals also failed within hours.
Four Israelis were injured, one seriously, by a rocket fired into the town of Sderot, near the Gaza Strip. Almost 30 people have died since fierce fighting broke out in Gaza on Sunday, including 14 in one attack on Tuesday.
Four Israelis were also injured on Tuesday, one seriously, by a rocket fired into the town of Sderot, near the Gaza Strip.
Israeli aircraft later bombed uninhabited areas of northern Gaza often used for rocket launches as a "deterrent", the military said.Israeli aircraft later bombed uninhabited areas of northern Gaza often used for rocket launches as a "deterrent", the military said.
Ceasefire 'test'Ceasefire 'test'
Tuesday night's ceasefire deal was the third such truce brokered on successive evenings since the violence first flared at the weekend. Fatah officials quickly blamed Wednesday morning's killings on Hamas, although this could not immediately be confirmed.
Several Israelis were injured by rocket fire in Sderot, near Gaza The gunmen attacked the house of Rashid Abu Shbak, a top Fatah security figure, who was not home at the time, before storming inside and killing at least four guards.
Several Israelis were injured by rocket fire in Sderot, near GazaMortars were also fired at the office of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, although no-one was injured.
The renewed violence quickly undermined Tuesday night's attempt to broker a ceasefire between Hamas and Fatah, the third such truce brokered since the violence first flared at the weekend.
Both previous agreements, which have been brokered with Egyptian assistance, lasted little more than a few hours.Both previous agreements, which have been brokered with Egyptian assistance, lasted little more than a few hours.
The latest accord floundered almost immediately The latest accord floundered almost immediately. An Egyptian diplomat was shot in the hand, reportedly as he walked along a Gaza street to test whether gunmen were sticking to the deal.
The Reuters news agency reported that the Egyptian diplomat was shot in the hand as he walked along a Gaza street - apparently accompanied by the Palestinian government spokesman, Ghazi Hamad, to test whether gunmen were sticking to the deal.
Gunfire then echoed across Gaza into the early hours of Wednesday morning.Gunfire then echoed across Gaza into the early hours of Wednesday morning.
More than 20 people have died in Gaza since Sunday in the worst outbreak of factional violence since Hamas and Fatah agreed a truce in February and joined a national unity government. The current fighting is the worst outbreak of factional violence since Hamas and Fatah agreed a truce in February and joined a national unity government.
Press split on crisis Palestinians under gun rule The BBC's Aleem Maqbool, in the West Bank town of Ramallah, says whatever the militants started fighting for, the killings are now in the name of revenge.Press split on crisis Palestinians under gun rule The BBC's Aleem Maqbool, in the West Bank town of Ramallah, says whatever the militants started fighting for, the killings are now in the name of revenge.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has urged an end to the factional fighting.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has urged an end to the factional fighting.
However, it is clear that the gunmen are in charge, not the politicians, our correspondent says, although it is not clear is how much further the situation will escalate.However, it is clear that the gunmen are in charge, not the politicians, our correspondent says, although it is not clear is how much further the situation will escalate.
AmbushAmbush
Street gun battles raged throughout Tuesday, with schools and businesses closed and most residents of Gaza City kept indoors. Street gun battles had raged throughout Tuesday, with schools and businesses closed and most residents of Gaza City kept indoors.
In the worst single attack of the unrest so far, at least 14 people died in an attack on a Fatah military training base near the Karni crossing point with Israel on Tuesday.In the worst single attack of the unrest so far, at least 14 people died in an attack on a Fatah military training base near the Karni crossing point with Israel on Tuesday.
HAVE YOUR SAY You can't expect any kind of resolution to the conflict in Gaza for as long as Hamas is in power Brad, Japan Send us your comments Gaza city viewpoint A spokesman told Associated Press the Karni base was attacked with rockets, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars. Hamas denied its members were involved.HAVE YOUR SAY You can't expect any kind of resolution to the conflict in Gaza for as long as Hamas is in power Brad, Japan Send us your comments Gaza city viewpoint A spokesman told Associated Press the Karni base was attacked with rockets, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars. Hamas denied its members were involved.
About 500 Fatah loyalists returned to Gaza on Tuesday from police training in Egypt, officials said.About 500 Fatah loyalists returned to Gaza on Tuesday from police training in Egypt, officials said.
A Fatah official denied the loyalists would fight Hamas, saying they offer security for all Palestinians.A Fatah official denied the loyalists would fight Hamas, saying they offer security for all Palestinians.
But many fear more widespread civil strife.
"I don't know when it's going to end and what the future will bring," decorator Salman Abu Arafeh, 42, told the Associated Press.
Up to 170 people have died in clashes between Fatah and Hamas since the latter won parliamentary elections in January 2006.Up to 170 people have died in clashes between Fatah and Hamas since the latter won parliamentary elections in January 2006.
Israel withdrew its settlers and troops from Gaza in 2005, but kept control of its borders, airspace and territorial water.Israel withdrew its settlers and troops from Gaza in 2005, but kept control of its borders, airspace and territorial water.