Rival Palestinian factions clash in Gaza

GAZA, June 8 (Reuters) Gunmen from rival Palestinian factions clashed on the streets of Gaza toay in the latest round of internal violence that has brought the coastal territory to the brink of civil war, security sources said.

Fighting between the Islamist Hamas and secular Fatah movements had, however, largely abated since a flare-up yesterday killed at least one Palestinian and wounded 12 others.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah said this week internal strife, that killed about 50 people in the Gaza Strip last month, risked spilling over into civil war.

Today's clashes began after gunmen fired at a group of Hamas militants deployed east of Gaza City, witnesses said. The Hamas militants later attacked a house where they suspected Fatah gunmen were gathered.

One member of Abbas's Presidential Guard was abducted overnight in Gaza, a Fatah security source said. Hamas said that one of its supporters was shot by a Fatah security officer.

Both groups warned of further violence.

An estimated 616 Palestinians have been killed in factional fighting since Hamas defeated Fatah in parliamentary elections in January 2006, a leading Palestinian rights group said on Wednesday.

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