Fear sweeps Gaza as streets turn into battlefields

GAZA, Dec 20 (Reuters) Adel Mohammad-Ali, one of Gaza's veteran taxi drivers, says his daily search for fares has become a journey of death.

Since fighting broke out between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, Gaza's already dangerous streets have become a battleground.

Residents say no place feels safe as heavily-armed forces and plain-clothed gunmen roam the streets. They exchange fire from passing cars and rooftops.

The fighting intensified after President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah called for fresh elections. Hamas, which took control of the Palestinian government in March after winning parliamentary polls, accused Abbas of mounting a coup.

Yesterday at least six Palestinians were killed and more than a dozen injured.

Many Gazans believe their home, which until recently faced day-and-night Israeli incursions and bombardments, is on the verge of civil war.

''This is madness,'' said Mohammad-Ali, a 40-year-old father of five. ''The city streets are divided between Hamas and Fatah gunmen.

You never know who is who.'' Instead of speeding passengers directly to their destinations in his beat-up cruiser, Mohammad-Ali takes the long way around to avoid streets where gunmen operate.

He offered practical tips: Drive slowly, avoid streets with checkpoints, and keep your windows open at all times (so gunmen can see you are not armed).

Most streets are empty and the shops are closed. Many parents in Gaza have stopped sending their children to school. Five students have been hit in the cross fire. One 19-year university student was killed.

Hamas and Fatah are also battling it out over the airwaves on rival radio stations. Most callers urge Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and Abbas to stop the bloodshed.

The rivals have called for restraint to no avail.

Gaza store owner Nabil Zaki's hands trembled as he locked up his clothing store yesterday. Rival forces fought street battles nearby and he said it was too dangerous for the store to stay open.

''We have a ship with two heads, Abbas and Haniyeh. They must either reach an agreement soon or the ship will sink,'' Zaki, 35, said. ''Neither of them can act alone.'' Gazans say the fighting between the rival factions only benefited Israel, whom Palestinians see as the real enemy.

''I can imagine Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert now watching Gaza and laughing,'' said Gaza teacher Majed Baseer, 35.

REUTERS PB PM0900