Gaza: 2 Palestinian policemen killed by Hamas gunmen

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-21-2006 09:35

In Gaza, Hamas gunmen killed two Palestinian policemen loyal to the rival Fatah movement early on Wednesday. The violence came just hours after the two sides agreed to a new ceasefire meant to end more than a week of factional fighting. Six others were wounded in the attack.

Two Palestinian policemen, cousins in their early 20s, were killed when their vehicle was attacked during an overnight patrol.

Fatah officials condemned the killing, but said they remained committed to the truce. Gaza City remained largely calm at midday - a dramatic contrast to the pitched battles that raged in city streets a day earlier.

However, hundreds of people went on a violent rampage at the dead officers' funerals. Many of the armed men fired shots into the air and called for revenge, raising the prospect of renewed fighting.

Some of the mourners torched several cars parked near the cemetery where the bodies were buried. They believed the cars belonged to Hamas members.

Later it transpired that the vehicles were owned by a local electricity company.

Fighting between Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement erupted last week after months of political tension between the factions.

Fatah controls the presidency and seeks peace with Israel, while Hamas controls parliament and the Cabinet and is committed to continuing the fight against Israel.

Editor:Du Xiaodan