Palestinian gov't condemns Hamas for killing Islamist rival in Gaza

The Palestinian government of President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Hamas security forces who killed an activist of a rival Islamist militant group in a shoot-out at his Gaza home on Tuesday.

"Hamas must respect the law and civil rights," said a statement by the Palestianian cabinet, published by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa. "It must not mess with the souls of people. It must cease abolishing security and order and stop trespassing on the authorities of the government and the judiciary."

The Gaza-based Palestinian Centre for Human Rights questioned whether Hamas forces were justified in killing Honnor and urged a public investigation.

That call was echoed by the Palestinian cabinet, which said its attorney general would launch an probe. How that might effected remained unclear, given continues disputes between Hamas and Abbas over jurisdictions.