Last update - 00:00 24/01/2007
At least 4 Palestinians hurt in Hamas-Fatah Gaza clashes
By Haaretz Service and News Agencies
Fatah and Hamas gunmen clashed in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday,
wounding at least four Palestinians, local residents said, a day after the rival factions restarted talks on forming a unity government.
Residents said three civilians were wounded along with one Fatah gunman in the exchange of fire, which took place near the house of a senior militant in Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction.
Fatah accused Hamas's so-called "executive force" of besieging the house. Hamas said the fighting broke out when its patrol came under Fatah fire.
Also Wednesday, Fatah said unknown gunmen threw a grenade at one of its offices in Gaza, causing minor damage. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
At least 30 Palestinians have been killed in fighting between Hamas and Fatah since Abbas called last month for early presidential and parliamentary elections.
The latest wave of violence came one day after Palestinian factions including Hamas and Fatah resumed talks on forming a coalition government. Similar talks broke down last year.
Palestinian Prime Minister and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said the talks were being conducted in a "conciliatory" spirit.
"We hope that such a spirit will continue until we reach the formation of the national unity government," he said.
Hamas has struggled to govern since taking office in March under the weight of U.S.-led sanctions imposed because of its refusal to recognise the Jewish state, renounce violence and abide by interim peace deals.
Earlier this week Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal held inconclusive unity talks in Damascus.