Gaza clashes kill 1 Hamas policeman

Source: CCTV.com | 12-19-2006 17:11

Palestinian police loyal to the governing Hamas have clashed with security men from the rival Fatah group, at a large hospital in the Gaza Strip.

Many are blaming President Mahmoud Abbas's call for early elections for this latest round of violence.

A fierce gun-battle erupted early Tuesday within the compound of Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Witnesses say a Hamas policeman has been killed and 11 other people wounded. Fatah members say confrontations began when Hamas police tried to detain men belonging to an intelligence service loyal to President Abbas ... on suspicion that they'd been involved in earlier clashes. But Hamas is saying their men came under fire when a group of armed Fatah fighters stormed the hospital. They're also saying they've arrested two of the Fatah attackers. The gun-battle, which raged for nearly an hour, sent school children on their way to school, scurrying for cover.

Editor:Ji Xuewen