Hamas, Fatah clash in Gaza

MILITANTS from the Hamas and Fatah movements clashed with assault rifles and shoulder-held missiles Monday, killing three people in the latest sign the rivals could be heading toward a large-scale confrontation.

Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas called for restraint and ordered his security chief to impose order. But tensions remained high as the sides accused each other of instigating the violence.

Friction has been rising since the Islamic militant group Hamas ended Fatah’s four-decade control of Palestinian politics with a victory in January parliamentary elections.

Haniyeh and moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah have been wrangling over power, particularly over control of security forces. The friction has been compounded by a growing financial crisis, the result of Western economic sanctions against the Hamas-led government.

The two leaders met twice over the weekend but failed to resolve their differences.

Monday’s violence began before dawn in the farming community of Abassan in southeastern Gaza. Hamas tried to kidnap a Fatah member, apparently to settle an old score, said Fatah spokesman Tawfiq Abu Khoussa.

The kidnapping ignited several hours of violence that included more kidnappings and fire fights, including one exchange that sent civilians ducking for cover. One Hamas militant was killed. All captives were released after negotiations.

Haniyeh called on both sides for restraint.

“I call on the leaders of Hamas and Fatah to take full responsibility in order to stop these incidents, which have created ill feelings,” he told reporters in Gaza City.