Fatah, Hamas resume war

GAZA – A short-lived truce between the ruling Fatah movement and the Hamas broke down Wednesday morning, when armed clashes between the Palestinian movements resumed. An Egyptian delegation is expected to arrive in the area shortly, and will attempt to implement a ceasefire between the organizations. Earlier, a ceasefire was agreed Wednesday to end violent clashes between the two sides, after two Palestinians were killed and more than 30 sustained wounds in five days of Gaza clashes. The agreement was reached after a tense day where about 20 people were injured in shootouts between the sides. During the clashes, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades members joined Palestinian security forces in firefights against Hamas members. During the exchanges of fire, the Hamas took over an area in the northern Gaza Strip and prevented Fatah and PA members from entering the zone. The deal, signed by PA Minister for Prisoner Affairs Sufian Abu-Zaida and Nazar Rayan from the Hamas, calls on the sides to end all confrontations. ‘Gaza resembles Beirut’ The two sides also agreed to end mutual incitement, stop exchanges of fire, and put an end to armed demonstrations, that is, remove armed gunmen who are not PA security officers from the streets. Under the agreement, the sides also agreed to remove all roadblocks placed in the Gaza Strip by both organizations. Both sides welcomed the agreement, but observers said the real test would be the deal’s implementation in the coming days. As violence peaked on Tuesday, a Fatah member admitted a “street war” was taking place and said large areas in the northern Gaza Strip resemble Beirut during the Lebanese civil war era.

Fatah, Hamas resume war

Ceasefire between ruling party, terror group breaks down after few hours