Hamas security force fights gunmen in Gaza City

GAZA, May 22 (Reuters) A new Hamas-led security force exchanged fire with gunmen near the Palestinian parliament in Gaza today in a fresh outbreak of internal violence, Palestinian security sources said.

Two civilians and a policeman were wounded in the clashes, witnesses said.

Witnesses said members of the new force set up by the ruling militant Islamic group returned fire as they took cover inside a building near parliament after coming under attack from unknown gunmen. Bystanders fled the streets.

Hamas, which took power in March after winning January elections, deployed its new 3,000-strong force in Gaza last week, prompting moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to order police onto the streets too. They clashed within barely a day.

Apparent assassination attempts on two top Abbas commanders at the weekend -- one was badly wounded -- have stoked worries of further internal violence, although Hamas has denied any responsibility. Unidentified gunmen killed a militant from Abbas's Fatah movement overnight in Gaza.

REUTERS PG HT1745