Gaza gunfire erupts as police try to arrest militant

Palestinian police arrested a Hamas-linked militant in Gaza City this morning, sparking a gun battle that left two police officers wounded, witnesses said.

The violence came amid a new round of attacks between the rival Fatah and Hamas groups in Gaza.

According to witnesses, the police came under fire when they arrived in a Hamas-dominated neighbourhood of Gaza City to arrest Hisham Mukhmir of the Popular Resistance Committees militant group.

Two officers were wounded in the violence, but the police still managed to arrest Mukhmir, they said.

The arrest came in connection with the killing Monday of the three children of a Palestinian security chief.

Abu Mujahid, a spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, said he supported efforts to arrest those responsible for the killing.

“Any person found guilty of killing children deserves to be killed in front of the people, even if he belongs to the PRC,” he said.

“His factional immunity is lifted, and the PRC is ready to help with any investigation.”

But Abu Abir, another PRC spokesman condemned the arrest and demanded Mukhmir be immediately released.