In clear violation to the Geneva Conventions…
One person was killed and 11 were wounded when fighting broke out inside Gaza’s main hospital today.
A gunmen loyal to Hamas carries a rocket launcher during gunbattles with forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ intelligence service in Gaza CIty, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006. (Yahoo)
ADN Kronos reports that a Hamas member was killed when fighting broke out inside a Gaza hospital on Tuesday:
Gaza, 19 Dec. (AKI) – Hamas security forces and militia supporting Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas fought gunbattles at Gaza’s main hospital on Tuesday. One person died and another 11 were reportedly injured. Heavy gunfire was subsequently reported at the pro-Fatah General Intelligence service. Meanwhile press reports Tuesday said members of Abbas’ Fatah movement accused Hamas, in power for less than a year, of issuing a fatwa (religious edict) against its members.
According to London-based Arabic daily al-Sharq al-Awsat, a death sentence was issued against seven leading Fatah members, including Muhammad Dahlan, a powerful Fatah member of parliament and a former security chief in Gaza in retaliation for an assassination attempt on Hamas prime minister, Ismail Haniya.
Dahlan has rejected allegations he was behind the murder attempt Friday on the premier.
Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Misri denied the report.
Palestinian in-fighting – the worst in a decade – escalated after the president called on Saturday for early elections sparking allegations by Hamas that he was attempting a ‘coup’.
Reports on Tuesday said a Hamas policeman was killed in the gun fight at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
The attack reportedly targeted a Hamas position inside the building.
A Hamas spokesman confirmed that a member of the Hamas executive force, which was set up six months ago and is controlled by the interior minister – was killed and several others injured.
Meanwhile, at the university…
Palestinian masked Hamas university students blow up a model of an Israeli settlement during a rally in the Palestine Polytechnic University in the West Bank city of Hebron, Monday, Dec. 18, 2006. Dozens, and perhaps hundreds, of Hamas militants recently left the Gaza Strip to receive advanced military training in Iran, Israeli military officials said Monday. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)
Previously on the developing crisis:
Gaza Gunmen Target Minister in Front of School, 3 Children Dead
Palestinian Children Threaten Adults With Stonings
Fatah Attempts Assassination of Hamas Prime Minister!
Clashes in Gaza! Hamas Blames Fatah for Assassination Attempt!
Abbas Calls for Early Elections, Hamas Declines
One Man’s Gaza Ceasefire Is Another Man’s Sleepy Time
