Violence has flared in the Palestinian territories after president Mahmud Abbas called for early elections. The move set off fears that the standoff between Hamas and Fatah could deteriorate into full-blown civil war. Gunfire exchanges between Hamas and Fatah gunmen have left three people dead, including a 13-year-old boy, since the president called for the new polls on Saturday.
Gunmen early Sunday stormed a training camp in the Gaza Strip used by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas' Force 17 presidential guard, sparking gunbattles that left one officer dead and several others injured. The attacker were believed to be members of the Hamas military wing, although Hamas publicly denied involvement.
The attack was the first of its kind against the elite Palestinian force, made up of some 3,500 security men.
Sunday's attack sparked a fierce, 20-minute battle. The gunmen fled after reinforcements were dispatched to the base from other presidential guard camps, security officials said. A presidential guard official denounced the attack as an assault on the "symbol of Palestinian legitimacy."
Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, denied the movement had been involved in the raid, adding "This is a wrong and irresponsible accusation."
The base is located about 700 meters from the PA president's residence and office in Gaza City. Abbas was in the West Bank town of Ramallah at the time of the attack.
Before arriving at the base, the Hamas gunmen attacked an electricity transformer in the area, cutting off power to the base and nearby houses, sources in the presidential guard said. Following the killing, hundreds of masked Fatah gunmen deployed en masse around Abbas office and house in Gaza City, blocking streets and stopping cars. The president's Gaza residence came under fire, as did the foreign minister's convoy, witnesses said.
Zahar's convoy came under fire early Sunday afternoon, as it passed through Gaza City, and members of his Hamas movement accused Fatah of trying to assassinate him. Zahar was unhurt in the shooting, which took place as he was traveling near the Foreign Ministry. Hamas officials said there were no other injuries.
Later, a 19-year-old woman died in the chaos, while at least 13 people were wounded in gun battles across Gaza City.
