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Gaza tense ahead of Abbas mission Funeral clash shatters Gaza truce
(about 1 hour later)
The Palestinian Authority president is due in Gaza hoping to consolidate a fragile ceasefire between warring factions after four days of violence. At least one man was killed and 20 were injured in a gun battle at the funeral of two Hamas militants in the town of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Fighting appears to have eased ahead of Mahmoud Abbas's arrival although the situation remains very tense. Hamas and the rival Fatah faction have been trading attacks in Gaza since Sunday, leaving more than 40 dead.
Reports say five people were killed overnight, which would bring the total to more than 40 in four days. The Palestinian Authority president, who leads Fatah, cancelled a visit to Gaza but may go on Friday hoping to consolidate the latest truce.
Fighting between Mr Abbas's Fatah and the Islamist Hamas threatens a hard-won unity government they formed in March. Also Israeli tanks moved into Gaza after Hamas rocket attacks.
Israel has threatened to launch "harsh and severe action" against Palestinian militants in Gaza, who fired dozens of rockets across the border in recent days.Israel has threatened to launch "harsh and severe action" against Palestinian militants in Gaza, who fired dozens of rockets across the border in recent days.
HAVE YOUR SAY How can Palestinians unite when the West and Israel will only support one side Angs, New York Send us your comments Residents' voices In pictures: Gaza clashes Overnight, Hamas said an Israeli air strike hit one of its training camps without causing injury, although Israel denied involvement.HAVE YOUR SAY How can Palestinians unite when the West and Israel will only support one side Angs, New York Send us your comments Residents' voices In pictures: Gaza clashes Overnight, Hamas said an Israeli air strike hit one of its training camps without causing injury, although Israel denied involvement.
Israeli air strikes on the militant group's facilities in Gaza killed five people on Wednesday.Israeli air strikes on the militant group's facilities in Gaza killed five people on Wednesday.
Palestinian militants later fired a further barrage on the southern Israeli town of Sderot, causing a brief blackout with an electricity transformer was hit.Palestinian militants later fired a further barrage on the southern Israeli town of Sderot, causing a brief blackout with an electricity transformer was hit.
'Bloodbath''Bloodbath'
Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti - an independent in the Palestinian government dominated by Hamas and Fatah members - described Wednesday's violence as shameful. Fighting between Mr Abbas's Fatah and the Islamist Hamas threatens a hard-won unity government they formed in March.
Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti - one of the Palestinian cabinet's independent members - described the violence as shameful.
"They keep making agreements, and then they violate it within minutes," he told the BBC."They keep making agreements, and then they violate it within minutes," he told the BBC.
Media outrage at infighting Rivals: Fatah and Hamas Unrest gains momentum "When we formed the national unity government, it was formed specifically to prevent internal fighting, and to open the road of protecting democracy."Media outrage at infighting Rivals: Fatah and Hamas Unrest gains momentum "When we formed the national unity government, it was formed specifically to prevent internal fighting, and to open the road of protecting democracy."
PA President Mahmoud Abbas had been due to meet Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas for talks on ending the violence, but sources said he did not want to go until he was sure Hamas was firmly committed to latest ceasefire.
The UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, repeated his calls for an immediate end to the "unacceptable attacks" on Palestinian Authority installations and personnel, which he said endangered civilians throughout Gaza.The UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, repeated his calls for an immediate end to the "unacceptable attacks" on Palestinian Authority installations and personnel, which he said endangered civilians throughout Gaza.
Mr Ban also said the rocket attacks on Israel were "equally unacceptable".Mr Ban also said the rocket attacks on Israel were "equally unacceptable".
The latest truce came into force after Hamas ordered a unilateral ceasefire from 1700 GMT on Wednesday.The latest truce came into force after Hamas ordered a unilateral ceasefire from 1700 GMT on Wednesday.
From his headquarters in Ramallah, in the West Bank, Mr Abbas said Fatah would also stop fighting.From his headquarters in Ramallah, in the West Bank, Mr Abbas said Fatah would also stop fighting.
Three earlier ceasefires have been broken within hours and clashes continued after the fourth, including around the National Security Headquarters in northern Gaza.Three earlier ceasefires have been broken within hours and clashes continued after the fourth, including around the National Security Headquarters in northern Gaza.
Two Fatah loyalists and three Hamas militants were killed in separate shootings, according to AFP news agency, but there was no confirmation.Two Fatah loyalists and three Hamas militants were killed in separate shootings, according to AFP news agency, but there was no confirmation.
BBC's Arab affairs analyst Magdi Abdelhadi says the collapse of ceasefires suggests the armed supporters on the ground may no longer be paying attention to orders from their political leadership.BBC's Arab affairs analyst Magdi Abdelhadi says the collapse of ceasefires suggests the armed supporters on the ground may no longer be paying attention to orders from their political leadership.