Gunfire reported at Gaza border crossing

Gunfire erupted at the Egypt-Gaza border crossing late today, hours after Hamas militants seized control of the terminal.

Witnesses said Hamas gunmen were firing at the Egyptian side of the border, drawing return fire from the Egyptians and presidential guards from the rival Fatah movement.

The violence broke out as Palestinian officials were trying to negotiate the return of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to Gaza from Egypt.

During the battle, masked gunmen in three cars and a bulldozer stormed the terminal, witnesses said.

The gunmen went on the rampage inside the building, destroying computers and furniture inside and plunging the area into darkness, the witnesses said.

At least five people were wounded.

Earlier, Hamas militants, angry that Israel was preventing Haniyeh from returning to Gaza, took control of the border in a fierce gunbattle with pro-Fatah presidential guards.

The battle deepened factional tensions that have put Gaza on the brink of civil war.