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Truce in Palestinian areas barely holding

Atul Aneja

DUBAI: The ceasefire between warring Palestinian factions, which went into force on Tuesday night, is barely holding.

After four days of fighting between the Fatah faction, loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and the rival Hamas, there was calm in several parts of Gaza city.

Shops were open in the city centre and there was free movement of people in this area.

Violence abated after a declaration of a fresh ceasefire by Mr. Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh, who belongs to Hamas.

However, a major gun battle between Hamas and Fatah fighters that broke out in a Gaza street threatened to unravel the truce. According to eyewitnesses, around 100 masked gunmen fired automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.

Amid heightened tension, gunmen fired in the air when those killed during previous fighting were laid to rest. Security was tightened around Mr. Abbas' office, the scene of heavy fighting earlier in the week.

Clashes between the two Palestinian groups began after Mr. Abbas advocated fresh presidential and parliamentary elections to break the political impasse that the Palestinian territories have been experiencing. The Hamas has rejected this proposal.

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