Last update - 00:00 02/08/2007
Two killed in clashes between Hamas, Islamic Jihad in Gaza City
By The Associated Press
Two Palestinians were killed Thursday in Gaza City as the Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups continued their violent clashes over the right to fire weapons in public.
Islamic Jihad said its men were ambushed early Thursday by Hamas gunmen, dragged out of a mosque and shot in the legs. Another man, Nidal al-Daya, was shot in the head, Islamic Jihad said.
A Fatah official, Salah al-Amoudi, who lives nearby, emerged shortly after and was shot dead by masked gunmen, witnesses said.
The incident is an indication of growing animosity between the two extremist Islamic groups, now that their common enemy, the moderate Fatah of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, has been vanquished in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas has pledged to keep the streets of Gaza safe, a contrast to the gang warfare and widespread crime that was prevalent while Fatah was in control, and appears to be sending a signal to other armed groups that they must adhere to Hamas rule.
The Hamas-run Interior Ministry issued a statement saying an investigation has been launched into the killing of al-Amoudi.
"We are not going to hesitate with anyone violating the law and trying to sabotage the stability in Gaza, the statement read. We are going to put an end to all the chaos and use of arms in our country," the statement says.
The clashes began Tuesday night, when Islamic Jihad gunmen fired in the air in celebration during a wedding. Hamas, which overran the Gaza Strip in a lightning operation last month, has banned firing weapons in public.
On Wednesday, the Hamas militia fired a rocket at a house in Gaza City and traded fire with Islamic Jihad militants inside. One Hamas militiaman was killed and six Islamic Jihad militants were wounded. Gunfire could be heard for several hours.
Islamic Jihad leader Khader Habib said the raid was unnecessary. "I resolved the situation at the wedding yesterday," he said.
Hamas said in a statement that the Islamic Jihad militants were ordered to hand over their weapons but failed to do so, and "we implemented the law."