Gunmen in Gaza
Photo: AFP
Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh
Photo: AP
Fatah activist killed by Hamas
Hamas, Fatah clash overnight in Gaza Strip; Palestinian Authority security forces threaten civil revolt after Ramadan over unpaid salaries
Palestinian official's fears that a Friday entente between Fatah and Hamas to halt violent street confrontations would collapse materialized as a Fatah security officer was killed overnight Sunday in clashes between the two rival groups in the Gaza Strip.
Mohammad Shkhadeh, of the Preventive Security Forces, was killed and four others were injured, including one seriously.
On Friday Fatah gunmen opened fire at Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's car in an apparent assassination attempt, but he escaped unscathed, and Hamas gunmen opened fire at the Intelligence Headquarters in Gaza City. On Saturday a Fatah activist was kidnapped by Hamas gunmen.
Negotiations between Fatah and Hamas over the formation of a national unity government reached a dead end as Hamas refuses to bow to Fatah demands that it recognizes Israel and Fatah suspicions that the Islamic group is seeking to beef up its military presence in the West Bank.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority security workers have threatened civil revolt if the Hamas-led government fails to pay long-due salaries.
International donors severed financial aid to the Palestinians in January when Hamas won the general elections, leaving the Palestinian Authority cash-strapped.
