Gaza: Muslim cleric killed while leaving mosque
Man killed as he leaves Friday prayers in Gaza City; his friend seriously injured. Palestinian prime minister issues new call to stop using weapons in clashes between Fatah, Hamas
The Palestinians reported that Sheikh Adal Nasar was shot while leaving a mosque at the end of the Friday prayers. His friend who was with him was injured,
Nasar is not affiliated with any Palestinian organization, and the circumstances of his killing are still unclear.
In another incident which took place earlier, five people were killed in exchanges of fire between Hamas' special security apparatus and a Palestinian family in the Sabra neighborhood, after one of the family members was killed several days ago in exchanges of fire with Hamas members.
The Palestinians reported that at least one family member was arrested by Hamas activists.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh once again said that the Palestinians must engage in a dialogue and stop using weapons and infighting. Haniyeh said that Palestinians must prevent the confrontation in the Strip was spreading to the West Bank.
He called on all the Palestinian people to restrain themselves and stop the violence from spreading. The Palestinian prime minister also called to stop all forms of incitement between the Palestinian organizations.
Haniyeh, Abbas agree to speed up dialogue
Seven Palestinians were killed Thursday and more than 70 were injured in another day of exchanges of fire and clashes between the factions. One of the casualties was a senior Palestinian Preventive Security Service officer, Mohammed Ghayeb, who was killed after Hamas gunmen fired an RPG at his house in northern Gaza.
Two of Ghayeb's subordinates were also killed in the attack, as well as a bystander. The officer's wife was critically injured, and several other people were wounded as well.
Following the incidents, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Prime Minister Haniyeh on Thursday night for the first time in two months. Both parties agreed that armed displays in the streets of Gaza should be forbidden, and that an independent examination committee should be established in order to investigate the recent events.
Haniyeh and Abbas also agreed on the need to speed up the talks on the establishment of a Palestinian unity government.
