Hamas pledges to remove arms from Gaza streets

The new Palestinian Hamas government held an emergency meeting tonight after four people were killed in factional violence, and pledged to end public displays of weapons in the chaotic Gaza Strip.

The meeting followed a day of unrest sparked by the death of Abu Yousef Abu Quka, a Palestinian militant with ties to Hamas, in a car bombing.

His followers blamed security forces linked to the rival Fatah movement.

Information Minister Yousef Rizka said the government decided to form a committee to look into the killing.

He also said the government pledged “to remove all arms from the street”.

Gaza has been ravaged by a wave of lawlessness in recent months, with gunmen roaming the streets with impunity.

Many of the gunmen have links to Fatah.