Hamas-Fatah gunbattle at Gaza hospital

GAZA, Dec 19: A gunbattle erupted between Palestinian police loyal to Hamas and Fatah fighters at the main hospital in Gaza today, killing one person and wounding several, witnesses and members of the rival factions said.

They said the gunbattle occurred at the entrance and inside the compound of the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, but could not say what triggered the fighting.

The person killed was reported to be from the Hamas side.

Clashes between Hamas and Fatah loyalists have broken out since Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the head of Fatah, called at the weekend for early elections.

The Islamist Hamas movement heads the Palestinian government after winning elections in January.

REUTERS