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Abbas warns of collapse in Gaza | Abbas warns of collapse in Gaza |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has warned that continuing violence in Gaza risks taking the region to the point of collapse. | Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has warned that continuing violence in Gaza risks taking the region to the point of collapse. |
Armed members from the rival Hamas and Fatah factions have been battling in Gaza for control of key security posts. | Armed members from the rival Hamas and Fatah factions have been battling in Gaza for control of key security posts. |
Five Palestinians were killed in an explosion in a tunnel under a security headquarters in Khan Younis. | |
The fighting has spilled over into the West Bank with a gun battle breaking out in the northern town of Nablus. | |
At least 17 people have been reported killed in fighting on Wednesday with more than 60 people confirmed to have died in the last week. | |
Mahmoud Abbas, who heads Fatah, called the violence in Gaza "madness" and called on all parties to stop. | Mahmoud Abbas, who heads Fatah, called the violence in Gaza "madness" and called on all parties to stop. |
"Without a ceasefire and stopping of the fighting I think the situation will collapse in Gaza," he warned from Ramallah in the West Bank. | "Without a ceasefire and stopping of the fighting I think the situation will collapse in Gaza," he warned from Ramallah in the West Bank. |
International appeals | International appeals |
Supporters of Mr Abbas blamed Hamas militants for the blast in the southern city of Khan Younis that destroyed much of a building used by the Fatah-linked Preventive Security force. | |
GAZA FLASHPOINTS Southern Gaza: Security forces building blown up in Khan YounisNorth of Gaza City: Security compound seized by HamasNorth-South road: Fatah post destroyedGaza City: Clash at Fatah commander's houseNorthern Gaza City: Mortar hits Hamas leader in Shati campGaza City & Khan Younis: Protests broken up class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/5016012.stm">Rivals: Fatah and Hamas | |
Heavy gunfire broke out after the explosion and witnesses said several people were trapped in the rubble. | |
Two workers from the UN relief agency were among those who died on Wednesday. One man was apparently killed in crossfire in Khan Younis, the UNRWA said; the other died from wounds sustained on Tuesday. | |
The UN said it would temporarily scale back its operations in Gaza. | |
Frightened civilians have been forced to stay in their homes in the densely populated seaside territory. | |
Children have been kept indoors for safety, although important school exams were meant to take place this week. | |
Several hundred civilian protesters briefly turned out in Gaza City to call for a ceasefire, but they scattered when confronted by masked Hamas gunmen firing their weapons. | |
One protester was killed and there are reports 14 others were injured by the gunfire. | |
Another demonstration was broken up in similar fashion in Khan Younis, with one person injured. A pro-Fatah officer was also shot dead at a police compound. | |
Gunbattles between Hamas and Fatah militants have also been reported in Khan Younis, Gaza City and the central Gaza Strip. | |
Hamas men appear to be systematically taking over Fatah-controlled buildings throughout Gaza. | |
The National Security Forces headquarters in northern Gaza was taken over by Hamas in heavy fighting after dark on Tuesday, with the deaths of 17 people. | |
Hamas ultimatum | |
The international community has echoed Mr Abbas' call for a ceasefire. | |
Arab League head Amr Moussa said the factional fighting was destroying the Palestinian cause. | Arab League head Amr Moussa said the factional fighting was destroying the Palestinian cause. |
Without a ceasefire and stopping of the fighting I think the situation will collapse in Gaza Mahmoud AbbasPalestinian Authority President class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/6745145.stm">Gaza residents talk class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6746151.stm">In pictures: Gaza attacks | |
Russia warned the fighting risked spreading the conflict in the region. | |
The European Union and the United Nations have also appealed for a ceasefire. | |
Hamas has issued an ultimatum to Fatah militants in Gaza to lay down their weapons by 1600 GMT on Friday or risk having them taken from them. | |
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. |