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Dawn raid shatters Gaza ceasefire Dawn raid shatters Gaza ceasefire
(10 minutes later)
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. Gunmen have killed at least four people in a raid on the Gaza home of a Fatah official, ending a third truce in as many days between Palestinian groups.
The dawn killings came hours after the ceasefire was agreed by feuding factions Hamas and Fatah.The dawn killings came hours after the ceasefire was agreed by feuding factions Hamas and Fatah.
Earlier an Egyptian diplomat was shot and wounded. Previous deals also failed within hours. Earlier an Egyptian diplomat was shot and hurt and mortars hit the office of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
Almost 30 people have died since fierce fighting broke out in Gaza on Sunday, including 14 in one attack on Tuesday.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. The violence is the worst since February, when Hamas and Fatah agreed a deal to join a Palestinian national unity government.
Israeli aircraft later bombed uninhabited areas of northern Gaza often used for rocket launches as a "deterrent", the military said. 'In cold blood'
Ceasefire 'test' Despite the latest ceasefire deal, Wednesday morning began with a familiar spate of attacks.
Fatah officials quickly blamed Wednesday morning's killings on Hamas, although this could not immediately be confirmed. All Hamas are killers from top to bottom, all are implicated Fatah official class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6657349.stm">Press split on crisis class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6659219.stm">Palestinians under gun rule Grenades were thrown at a Hamas police post, reports said, followed by mortar fire targeting Mr Abbas' office.
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. The most deadly attack then followed, gunmen attacking the house of Rashid Abu Shbak, a top Fatah security figure - who was not home at the time.
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. At least part of the house was burned down, and at least four security guards were killed, a Fatah official said.
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. The official, Abdel Hakim Awad, quickly blamed Hamas for the killings.
Both previous agreements, which have been brokered with Egyptian assistance, lasted little more than a few hours. "All [Hamas] are killers from top to bottom, all are implicated," he said.
"What is happening is killing in cold blood, and this is criminal."
Revenge
The renewed violence quickly undermined Tuesday night's attempt to broker a ceasefire, the third such truce brokered since the violence first flared at the weekend.
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 Both previous agreements, which have been brokered with Egyptian assistance, lasted little more than a few hours.
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 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.
Gunfire then echoed across Gaza into the early hours of Wednesday morning.Gunfire then echoed across Gaza into the early hours of Wednesday morning.
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. 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.
Ambush
Street gun battles had 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.
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.
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.