Two Palestinian security officers were killed in the Gaza strip on Tuesday afternoon as a result of ongoing Fatah – Hamas clashes.
Medical sources reported that the bodies of Mohamed Al Harazin and Mohamed Kasab, both officers in the Palestinian Authority General Intelligence Service were found near the Al Shifa hospital in Gaza city.
Local sources reported that both officers were abducted earlier during the day at dawn from Gaza city when unknown gunmen stopped their car took them away and fled the scene.
With the death of these two officers, the death toll in the Gaza strip has now reached five, with no end in sight.
Two killed in infighting between Hamas and Fatah in Gaza
Ghassan Bannoura – IMEMC & Agencies
Two officers of the Palestinian Authority National Forces were killed
and five residents injured in two separate clashes between Hamas and
Fatah in the Gaza strip on Tuesday midday.
Dr. Mou'awiah Hassanin, the Director of the Ambulance and Emergency Department in the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that Shadi Thahier 25, and Amer Al Wahidi, 20, were dead on arrival to a Gaza city hospital after sustaining live round hits all over their bodies.
Eyewitnesses said that the two officers were ambushed by the executive force troops who opened fire at their car and killed the two. Dr. Hassanin also added that five children were injured in this attack while going back home after school on the same street that the attack had occurred.
With the two recent deaths, the death toll in the Gaza strip, due to the civil unrest, has reached three on Tuesday.
Moreover local sources in central Gaza city reported that at least five residents were injured and transported to several hospitals in the city during fierce clashes between Hamas and Fatah fighters in several different parts of Gaza city on Tuesday midday. The clashes have been ongoing since the morning and medical sources reported more than 20 injuries among residents and fighters since the fighting started.
After extensive efforts and mediation by Jamiel Mizher, a leader in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the executive force troops besieging Al-Shifa hospital in the Gaza strip have agreed to allow two of the wounded Palestinian General Intelligence Service agents to be moved to another hospital due to their critical medical conditions.
Mizher said that Hassan Al Halabi and Akram Muhamden, were released and moved to Al Qudes hospital in Gaza for further medical treatment. He also has called for all factions to stop the infighting and "point the guns towards the Israeli army".
Clashes between Fatah and Hamas supporters escalated after the call by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for early presidential and legislative elections.
Abbas said holding early election is the only way to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Abbas' statement came during a press confernce he had with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Ramallah on Monday, during which he reiterated his call for the early elections.
The call for elections was met with fury and rejection by Hamas and both factions called for their supporters to protest or suport the call.
However, both groups decided to call their supporters to stop the protest after clashes erupted between the two groups a few days ago. However, the two factions have clashed again, despite the truce agreement.
