Rival Palestinian security forces exchanged gunfire in southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday as tensions intensified in the Strip after the killing of three young sons of one of President Mahmoud Abbas' top intelligence officers.
According to Reuters, medical sources said two members of Abbas' security forces had been injured, one seriously. A spokesman for Hamas police force said two of their men had been injured. One was in critical condition.
Both sides accused the other of starting the clash in the town of Khan Younis. The Hamas spokesman said members of Abbas' forces had been protesting and attacking public buildings. Earlier, Abbas ordered his security forces to deploy across Gaza Strip after the killing of the three children.
A senior Fatah official, Hussein al-Sheikh, said the Hamas government bore responsibility for the murder. "Of course people very close to Hamas to say the least are behind the killings. We hold the government and the interior minister directly responsible," Sheikh said. "These are mafias, killer gangs," he added.
Senior Hamas lawmaker Mushir al-Masri flatly denied his movement had anything to do with the attack. "It seems some Fatah leaders are exploiting the blood of innocent children to earn political gains. We hold those leaders fully responsible for the grave consequences that may result from the fabrication and lies they are making."
