Unknown Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Sunday afternoon at Interior Minister Said Siyam's motorcade, causing no injuries, Palestinian officials said.
Interior Ministry spokesman Khaled Abu Hilal dismissed the shooting as a random attack and denied that the target was Siyam.
The men, driving in a nearby car, apparently shot at a car in the motorcade, but not at the vehicle carrying Siyam, he said.
The incident marks yet another escalation in the tense relations between Fatah and Hamas; Palestinian security officials are continuing to protest over unpaid salaries for the second consecutive day. Hamas blames Fatah for being the driving force behind the protests.
On Saturday the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization has recommended Saturday that President Mahmoud Abbas declare early elections for the presidency and the Legislative Council in a bid to bring an end to the political impasse with Hamas regarding the establishment of a unity government.
Hamas sources said the committee itself is not legal, and therefore its decisions are not binding.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr. Mahmoud al-Zahar said in clear defiance of Abbas that his organization is opposed to early elections "and if someone grew tired from leading and the presidential role, he should evacuate his post and hold presidential elections only."
The PLO Worker's Committee it seems isn't assuming that there will be a decline in cooperation between Hamas and Fatah.
Sources in the PA told Ynet that Saturday's appointment of Yasser Abed Rabo, who is considered number two in importance after the committee's chairman Abbas, is testimony that Abbas doesn't plan on waiting forever for Hamas, who, on their part, demanded a reform of PLO institutions and giving director-general of the committee to Hamas members.
Apparently, Hamas has designated this role for Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal.
First published: 16:59, 12.10.6