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Eight killed in fighting between Hamas, Fatah

GAZA CITY: Gaza’s ruling Hamas militant group launched a new crackdown on the rival Fatah movement early on Tuesday, arresting dozens of activists and barring public gatherings after Fatah anniversary celebrations sparked deadly violence throughout the Gaza Strip.

The fighting stretched into a second day, leaving a total of eight dead and 60 wounded, despite an unusually conciliatory speech toward Hamas by Fatah’s leader, President Mahmoud Abbas.

The deaths were the first in Palestinian infighting in nearly two months. Continued clashes could undermine next week’s scheduled visit to the region by U.S. President George W. Bush, who will try to prod Israel and the Palestinians closer to peace.

Hamas has ruled Gaza with a tight grip since routing pro-Fatah forces there in June. Last week, it said it would ban large celebrations marking Fatah’s 43rd anniversary.

Fireworks lit the skies of Gaza after nightfall on Monday and Fatah backers fired rifles in the air all over Gaza, defying the ban and setting off armed clashes.

Five Palestinians died in fighting across Gaza on Monday, and a sixth died of his wounds Tuesday morning, medical officials said. Two others were killed in Gaza City early on Tuesday in a gunbattle between Hamas security men and a family affiliated with Fatah, leaving one Hamas policeman and a Fatah supporter dead.

The eight dead included three Hamas and three Fatah supporters, officials said. Also killed were an elderly man caught in a crossfire in northern Gaza and a 14-year-old Hamas supporter shot in the southern town of Khan Younis after he exited a mosque, relatives said.

The deaths were the first in Palestinian infighting since Hamas forces opened fire on a huge Fatah rally on Nov. 11, killing eight and wounding 85.

That gathering was the first sign of Fatah resurgence since the Hamas takeover.

Fatah said dozens of activists were arrested overnight on Tuesday, and one of its leaders in Gaza City was briefly detained by Hamas forces who shaved off half his hair and mustache as humiliation. Hamas denied the charge. — AP

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