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Gaza gun battles rage on unabated Gaza gun battles rage on unabated
(about 1 hour later)
Intense fighting is continuing in the Gaza Strip, as rival armed members of the Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah battle for control of key positions.Intense fighting is continuing in the Gaza Strip, as rival armed members of the Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah battle for control of key positions.
Tuesday was the bloodiest of four days of unrest in which dozens have died in gunfights and execution-style killings.Tuesday was the bloodiest of four days of unrest in which dozens have died in gunfights and execution-style killings.
Hamas men appear to be systematically taking over Fatah-controlled buildings in northern Gaza, including the National Security Forces headquarters.Hamas men appear to be systematically taking over Fatah-controlled buildings in northern Gaza, including the National Security Forces headquarters.
Fatah says it will boycott cabinet meetings of the unity government.Fatah says it will boycott cabinet meetings of the unity government.
After an emergency meeting in the West Bank on Tuesday day, Fatah said it would pull out of the government if a truce could not be adhered to.After an emergency meeting in the West Bank on Tuesday day, Fatah said it would pull out of the government if a truce could not be adhered to.
But fighting continued on Wednesday morning, spreading to central Gaza and Gaza City.But fighting continued on Wednesday morning, spreading to central Gaza and Gaza City.
Gunmen fought for control of high-rise buildings serving as sniper positions and Hamas said it had bulldozed a Fatah outpost controlling Gaza's main north-south road.Gunmen fought for control of high-rise buildings serving as sniper positions and Hamas said it had bulldozed a Fatah outpost controlling Gaza's main north-south road.
There's a difference between leading on the ground and leading by mobile phone Nasser KhaldiPro-Fatah police colonel Gaza residents talk In pictures: Gaza attacksThere's a difference between leading on the ground and leading by mobile phone Nasser KhaldiPro-Fatah police colonel Gaza residents talk In pictures: Gaza attacks
A mortar shell hit the home of a Hamas deputy cabinet minister in the Shati refugee camp, setting it alight security officials said. A mortar shell hit the home of a Hamas deputy cabinet minister in the Shati refugee camp, setting it alight.
At least eight pro-Fatah men were reported killed in two separate clashes.
Frightened civilians stayed in their homes, keeping children indoors for safety, although important school exams were meant to take place this week.Frightened civilians stayed in their homes, keeping children indoors for safety, although important school exams were meant to take place this week.
Several hundred civilian protesters briefly turned out to call for a ceasefire, but they scattered when confronted by masked Hamas gunmen firing into the air.Several hundred civilian protesters briefly turned out to call for a ceasefire, but they scattered when confronted by masked Hamas gunmen firing into the air.
PoundedPounded
About 200 Hamas fighters seized the strategic headquarters of the Fatah-allied security forces in northern Gaza after dark on TuesdayAbout 200 Hamas fighters seized the strategic headquarters of the Fatah-allied security forces in northern Gaza after dark on Tuesday
Rivals: Fatah and Hamas They had fired mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns at the compound for several hours. At least 17 people died in the fighting.Rivals: Fatah and Hamas They had fired mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns at the compound for several hours. At least 17 people died in the fighting.
Jeeps carrying Fatah reinforcements were sent to the compound, but they never made it through to help their 500 comrades.Jeeps carrying Fatah reinforcements were sent to the compound, but they never made it through to help their 500 comrades.
"We were pounded with mortar, mortar, mortar," said one Fatah fighter in remarks quoted by Associated Press. "We were pounded with mortar, mortar, mortar; they had no mercy," said one Fatah fighter in remarks quoted by the Associated Press.
"They had no mercy. It was boom, boom. They had rockets that could reach almost half of the compound."
Correspondents say some pro-Fatah officers were frustrated by not having a coherent central command and not getting clear orders to fight back.Correspondents say some pro-Fatah officers were frustrated by not having a coherent central command and not getting clear orders to fight back.
Many Fatah leaders have left Gaza for the West Bank after previous fighting, while Fatah strongman Muhammad Dahlan is in Egypt for medical treatment.Many Fatah leaders have left Gaza for the West Bank after previous fighting, while Fatah strongman Muhammad Dahlan is in Egypt for medical treatment.
"There's a difference between leading on the ground and leading by mobile phone," Police Colonel Nasser Khaldi of Fatah said in comments reported by AP."There's a difference between leading on the ground and leading by mobile phone," Police Colonel Nasser Khaldi of Fatah said in comments reported by AP.
ViolationsViolations
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has expressed concern at the violence and said international forces should be stationed on the Egyptian border with Gaza to stop arms reaching militant groups. Israel, which withdrew troops and settlers from Gaza Strip in 2005, says it will not intervene in the fighting.
Human Rights Watch accused both sides of war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law. Hamas and Fatah agreed their seventh truce in just over a month on Monday, trying to end fighting that has claimed more than 100 lives.
Hamas and Fatah on Monday agreed their seventh truce in just over a month to try to end the fighting that has claimed at least 100 lives during that time.
There have been sporadic outbreaks of civil strife since Hamas won parliamentary elections in January 2006, ending years of Fatah domination of Palestinian politics.There have been sporadic outbreaks of civil strife since Hamas won parliamentary elections in January 2006, ending years of Fatah domination of Palestinian politics.
The election triggered a Palestinian political and economic crisis, with international donors boycotting the government because Hamas - which they consider a terrorist group - refuses to recognise Israel and renounce violence.The election triggered a Palestinian political and economic crisis, with international donors boycotting the government because Hamas - which they consider a terrorist group - refuses to recognise Israel and renounce violence.
Israel has refused to hand over hundreds of millions of dollars in tax, which it collects on behalf of the Palestinians.Israel has refused to hand over hundreds of millions of dollars in tax, which it collects on behalf of the Palestinians.


Are you in Gaza? Have you been caught up in events? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Are you in Gaza? Have you been caught up in events? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
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