Hamas attacks spark civil war fears

HAMAS gunmen stormed a security headquarters of the rival Fatah faction in Gaza yesterday as fierce internal fighting moved Palestinians closer to civil war.

The violence, described by Gazans as more brutal than in the past, has included a shootout in a hospital, dropping foes to their deaths from high-rise buildings and the execution-style slaying of a Fatah field commander outside his home.

“I think we are in Iraq, not in Gaza,” said Ammar, a 40-year-old father of six.

“Snipers on rooftops killing people. Bodies mutilated and dumped in the streets in very humiliating ways. Houses bombarded and civilians killed. What else does civil war mean but this?”

Hamas officials say a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at the house of Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniyeh yesterday, causing damage but no injuries.

In one incident, Hamas gunmen burned down the house of a leader of Fatah’s al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, prompting him to vow: “A house for a house and blood for blood. I swear to God I will kill every Hamas person, civilian or military.”

Commanders of the largest security force loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of the secular Fatah faction ordered their units to stand their ground and defeat what they called a “coup”.

Witnesses saw National Security Force reinforcements heading through empty streets toward the site of clashes with Hamas.

Fatah said its central committee would meet at 8pm (6pm Irish time) to decide whether to remain in a unity government it formed with Hamas in March in a bid to stop internal violence and ease Western sanctions.

In an ultimatum verging on a declaration of war, Hamas’s armed wing had given Fatah until 2pm (noon Irish time) to evacuate the military intelligence, presidential guard, national security and preventive security headquarters in Gaza City.

After the deadline passed, Hamas fighters attacked a large compound controlled by the Fatah-dominated national security forces in Gaza and surrounded the city’s main securitycomplex.

Heavy gunfire and explosions could be heard but there were no reports of casualties.

An order to the National Security Force said:“Advance, our forces. Confront the seekers of the coup. Defend your dignity and your military honour. Defend the security of your people.”

Hamas and Fatah have been locked in a power struggle that has touched off a wave of fighting in which at least 20 people have been killed since Saturday.

Fatah’s al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades declared a state of emergency in Gaza, saying it was on an offensive footing.

Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas issued an appeal for an immediate ceasefire and further meetings between the warring factions and Egyptian mediators. Past truces have collapsed quickly.