FATAH’S old demons — lack of leadership, petty quarrelling, corruption — have contributed to its dismal showing in the fight against Hamas in Gaza.

Hamas fighters overran one of the rival Fatah movement's most important Palestinians security installations in the Gaza Strip today.

Hamas has taken control of key Palestinian Preventive Security headquarters, according to reports from witnesses.

Palestinians today handed over to Israel body parts of soldiers killed in an explosion that destroyed an armoured personnel carrier in Gaza City, Palestinian officials said.