Palestinian security men go on anti-Hamas rampage

Hundreds of Palestinian security men loyal to president Mahmoud Abbas went on a rampage against the Hamas-led government, riddling the parliament building and cabinet offices with bullets before setting them on fire in retaliation for an attack by Hamas gunmen in the Gaza Strip.

The violence was the most serious in the West Bank since Hamas defeated Abbas’ Fatah movement n legislative elections in January and raised new fears the Palestinians could be heading towards civil war. It also cast doubt on renewed calls for Palestinian unity by the rival factions.