A senior Hamas militant was killed Sunday in fighting with members of the rival Fatah movement in the northern Gaza Strip, marking the first fatality in such clashes since the two sides agreed a month ago to form a unity government.

Explosions from mortar bombs and rocket-propelled grenades shook the town of Beit Hanun in the early hours after a shootout for which each side blamed the other. The fighting died down by morning at the urging of Hamas and Fatah leaders.

Seven Palestinians were wounded, including at least one Hamas gunman and two from Fatah, local residents and doctors said.

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The violence broke out just hours after Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said a unity government would be announced in the next few days.

The coalition agreement reached in the Saudi city of Mecca on February 8 had halted weeks of bloody factional fighting in which more than 90 people were killed in the Gaza Strip.

The man killed in Sunday's shootout was identified as Mohammad al-Kafarna, a member of the Hamas-led government's Executive Force. Hamas accused Fatah of ambushing his car.

Fatah spokesman Abdel-Halim Awad said Hamas fighters had fired first on a car carrying members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, linked to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah.

Fighting quickly spread in Beit Hanun as Hamas forces attacked a Fatah office and a separate security complex.

Fatah security forces declared a high alert in northern Gaza, ordering their men to reinforce their positions and set up checkpoints to intercept Hamas vehicles.

Tension had risen on Saturday after Fatah gunmen shot at the convoy of a Hamas cabinet minister in the West Bank, and gunmen stormed the pro-Fatah Al-Quds University in Gaza City, wounding a Fatah student council member.

Haniyeh: New unity government to be announced in few days
Haniyeh of Hamas said Saturday that the new unity government would be announced over the coming days and would seek a vote of confidence from parliament next Saturday.

"We will announce the government on Wednesday or Thursday and we will then ask for a vote of confidence in parliament on Saturday," Haniyeh said during an interview to Palestine TV.

His remarks followed fresh factional violence in the Palestinian territories Saturday, when gunmen stopped a car carrying a Hamas cabinet minister and opened fire on the vehicle, officials said.

The gunfire sparked a roadside clash that underscored the lingering tensions between the two parties.

No one was hurt in the shootout, which came a day before Abbas was expected to discuss the unity deal at a summit with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Hamas officials said Cabinet minister Wasfi Kibha, the target of the attack, was traveling to a ceremony in the West Bank town of Tubas when his car was stopped at a nearby village by three gunmen.

The militants opened fire, hitting the vehicle four times, security officials said. Hamas forces quickly rushed to the scene, and an exchange of fire ensued. The three gunmen then fled, Hamas officials said.

The ceremony, where Kibha and another minister planned to dedicate a new Education Ministry building, was canceled.

Hamas accused Palestinian security officials with ties to Fatah of being behind the attack. Security officials said they were aware of the incident but did not know who was responsible.

Hamas and Fatah remain at odds over several key issues, including who will serve as interior minister. The job is responsible for overseeing Palestinian security forces, which are dominated by Fatah loyalists.

Hamas defeated Fatah in legislative elections last year, gaining control over most government functions. But the Hamas-led government has been crippled by a Western boycott, leading it to seek an alliance with the more moderate Fatah.