GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Heavily armed Hamas militiamen’s efforts to break up anti-government protests on Sunday sparked gunbattles across the Gaza Strip that killed eight people in the worst internal Palestinian violence since Hamas took power.
The outbreak of violence jumped to the West Bank, where militants from the opposition Fatah group set fire to the offices of the Hamas-run Cabinet in the city of Ramallah and burned a car outside the Education Ministry building.
The hopscotching violence reflected the geographical balance of power between the rival Palestinian groups. While Gaza is the main stronghold of Hamas, a radical Islamist movement, the once-dominant Fatah prevails in the West Bank.
The fighting continued throughout the day and sent schoolchildren and other civilians in downtown Gaza City fleeing for cover. By evening, though, the streets in Gaza City were quiet.
“This is forbidden in Islam, we are in the holy month of Ramadan,” said Majed Badawi, 33, who managed to escape after his car was caught in the crossfire. “It’s a shame on Hamas, who call themselves real Muslims, and a shame of Fatah as well. Why are they fighting and over what? We are victims because of both of them.”
Violence between Fatah and Hamas loyalists plagued Gaza throughout the spring, but largely disappeared when Israel launched an offensive in Gaza in late June after Hamas-linked militants captured an Israeli soldier.
Israel’s army chief, Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, said Sunday that the military was considering another ground offensive.
Hours later, Israeli tanks, bulldozers and troops moved into northern Gaza. The army said the operation was aimed at preventing rocket fire from militants.
Looking to a possible new Israeli offensive, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, of Hamas, urged Palestinians to end the internal violence “in the face of a serious escalation from the occupation forces.”
Haniyeh spoke with President Mahmoud Abbas, of Fatah, by telephone and called for joint action to end the fighting, Haniyeh’s office said. But in a televised speech, Haniyeh also defended the Hamas militiamen, saying they acted lawfully in trying to break up the protests.
Fatah officials blamed Hamas for the chaos.
“Nothing can justify this violence,” Fatah spokesman Tawfik Abu Khoussa said.
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