Hamas policeman killed in hospital gun battle

Fierce gun battles erupted in the streets of Gaza City early today between forces of the rival Hamas and Fatah movements, killing one Hamas militant and leaving a shaky truce in tatters.

The sound of automatic gunfire could be heard throughout Gaza City, and a Fatah installation was attacked with mortar fire – the latest unrest in a week of factional fighting that shows few signs of easing despite Sunday’s truce declaration.

At least 11 people were wounded and a Hamas gunman was kidnapped, officials said.

Hamas and Fatah have been locked in a power struggle since the Islamic group defeated Fatah in legislative elections in January. Abbas’ Fatah party controls the presidency, while Hamas controls parliament and the Palestinian Cabinet, putting it in charge of most government functions.

Prime minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas planned to deliver a televised speech later today to discuss the situation.

The latest wave of fighting broke out last week, with tensions heightening after president Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah announced plans to call early elections over the weekend. Hamas has condemned the plan as a coup.

Today’s fighting began after a member of the Fatah-controlled intelligence service arrived at the hospital with a broken leg. He was accompanied by two armed colleagues. Hamas militiamen guarding the hospital blocked the entry of the armed men and attempted to arrest them.

When more Fatah forces arrived on the scene, they were fired upon, sparking the gunfight, Fatah officials said.

Hamas accused Fatah of storming the hospital, and said a 23-year-old member of a Hamas police unit was killed. It also said one of its men was kidnapped, describing the incident as “an awful crime committed by elements affiliated with the general terror services”.

The battle raged for nearly an hour, sending children scurrying for cover as they made their way to school.

Rival gunmen took up positions of rooftops, some firing rocket-propelled grenades at each other.

The fighting later spread to one of the main offices of the intelligence service, which was attacked by mortars and grenades, security officials said. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Supporters of the rival factions each took to the streets in Gaza. Fatah posters condemned the growing chaos. One read: “There is no bread left and no security, what else?” Another showed a woman embracing her child and saying “where are the killers?”

In the northern town of Jebaliya, about 50 pro-Hamas schoolchildren stood on a roadside holding posters that said “No to chaos. Yes to our good government.”

The children waved to passing motorists, and Hamas militiamen patrolled major intersections.

Hamas and Fatah representatives reiterated their commitment to preserving Sunday’s truce, but the latest fighting signalled the deal has all but collapsed.

“What is going on is a violation and sabotage and I have called on both parties to shoulder their responsibility and to end what is going on in the streets,” said Ibrahim Abu al-Najah, a mediator who sponsored Sunday’s truce. “No one is taking advantage of what is going on except for the enemy of the nation.”

The truce brought a relative lull to Gaza yesterday, but after nightfall the fighting quickly resumed. Gunfire could be heard throughout the night around the area of Abbas’ Gaza residence and the pro-Fatah national security compound.

There were no reports of injuries, but Palestinian ambulances said they came under fire in the exchanges. Abbas was at his headquarters in the West Bank.

Another brief gun battle broke out in the morning as masked gunmen opened fire on presidential guards who were manning a roadblock at the entrance to Abbas’ home. Abbas was in Ramallah at the time.

Tensions have been high since Abbas’ efforts to form a moderate unity government with Hamas collapsed in late November. Abbas had sought a coalition in hopes of ending international sanctions against the Hamas-led government, which has been isolated due to its refusal to recognise Israel.

The tensions turned violent last week after three young sons of a Fatah security officer were gunned down. The fighting worsened after Abbas’ announcement on Saturday that he would call new elections to end the impasse.

Prime minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, who has said the party would boycott a new vote, planned to deliver a major speech later today, his office said.

Despite the fighting, Abbas yesterday said he would push ahead with the new elections. With prime minister Tony Blair by his side, Abbas also reached out to Israel in hopes momentum toward peacemaking would provide an electoral edge over Hamas. The United States tentatively endorsed Abbas’ call for early elections.

“My understanding of this is that – within the basic law – that this is not prohibited,” McCormack said. “It's not specifically accounted for, but it’s not prohibited.”

An opinion poll indicated Abbas was in a tie with the most popular Hamas politician, prime minister Ismail Haniyeh. Abbas’ aides said he hopes his new decisiveness, coupled with progress in negotiations with Israel, will boost his popularity.

Abbas also said he was ready to meet with Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert.

After meeting with Blair late yesterday, the Israeli leader said he hoped to have a summit with Abbas “very soon” and said officials from both sides were working on the preparations.