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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.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.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.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 appealsInternational 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. Clashes have been going on since Saturday when hundreds of Fatah and Hamas gunmen fought on the streets and rooftops of Rafah with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns.
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 A truce agreed to on Monday was quickly broken and fighting escalated across northern Gaza.
Heavy gunfire broke out after the explosion and witnesses said several people were trapped in the rubble. On Wednesday, the fighting spread across central and southern Gaza as Hamas appeared to be winning control of Fatah-controlled areas.
Two workers from the UN relief agency were among those who died on Wednesday. In the latest developments:
  • An explosion wrecks the Khan Younis headquarters of the Fatah-linked Preventive Security force, killing five people
  • There are clashes in Gaza City near a local Fatah commander's home and in high rise buildings for control of sniper posts. Six militants are reported killed
  • Hamas gunmen gain control of Gaza's main north-south road
  • And Hamas says it has taken control of the border in the south between Gaza and Egypt.
    • Even as the fighting intensified in Gaza, violence spread to the West Bank with a gun battle in Nablus. Fatah gunmen were reported to be holding hostage a number of Hamas militants.
    Rivals: Fatah and Hamas Two workers from the UN relief agency were also 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.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.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. Frightened civilians have been forced to stay in their homes as residents of Gaza City braced for an expected showdown between forces of the rival factions.
    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 ultimatumHamas ultimatum
    The international community has echoed Mr Abbas' call for a ceasefire.The international community has echoed Mr Abbas' call for a ceasefire.
    Without a ceasefire and stopping of the fighting I think the situation will collapse in Gaza Mahmoud AbbasPalestinian Authority President Gaza residents talk In pictures: Gaza fighting
    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 Gaza residents talk In pictures: Gaza attacks
    Russia warned the fighting risked spreading the conflict in the region.Russia warned the fighting risked spreading the conflict in the region.
    The European Union and the United Nations have also appealed for a ceasefire.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.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.
    Are you in Gaza? Have you been caught up in the violence? 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 the violence? 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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