The ongoing clashes between members of Fateh’s Preventive Security force and the Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed the life of a deaf resident; fifteen other residents were injured, two seriously.
The violent clashes took place during the Monday afternoon funeral of Hammad Mohammad Abu Jazar, 21, member of the Executive Force that belongs to the Ministry of Interior and National Security who was killed earlier Monday.
Eyewitnesses reported that masked gunmen surrounded the Palestinian Preventive Security headquarters in Rafah and opened fire. Fierce clashes erupted between the surrounded Fateh members of the Preventive Security force and the gunmen who surrounded it.
Dr. Ali Mousa, head of Abu Yousef Al Najjar Hospital in Rafah, reported that a deaf man identified Suleiman Zannoun, 37, was killed in the clashes; fifteen other residents, mainly civilians, were injured.
Dr. Mousa added that most of the injured residents were transferred to the Gaza European Hospital, north east of Rafah district; two of them are in a serious condition.
Media sources in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, reported that members of the Al Qassam Brigades, abducted Mohammad Al Qassas, one of the field leaders of the Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fateh.
Following the abduction, Aqsa Brigades fighters, attacked the clinic of the brother of Abdul-Aziz Al Rantissi, one of Hamas political leaders who was assassinated Abdul-Aziz by Israel on April 17, 2004, destroyed the equipment and abducted him.
Both residents were released unharmed after mediation by several figures.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Interior and National Security demanded the gunmen to leave the streets and stop the clashes after a special investigation committee was formed to reveal the motives the inflamed the clashes.
