Hamas, Fatah clash in Gaza, one killed

Hamas, Fatah clash in Gaza, one killed

Fatah said members of Hamas's so-called Executive Force fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the home of a senior al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades commander in the northern Gaza Strip, killing a member of the group and injuring the others.

Hamas confirmed the clash had taken place but said its men opened fire after being shot at by the al-Aqsa gunmen.

The killing was the first since a unity government was formed on Saturday between Abbas's secular Fatah faction and Hamas Islamists.

In a break with Israel, the European Union and the United Nations eased their diplomatic boycott of the Palestinian government, dispatching their Middle East envoys for talks on Wednesday with non-Hamas ministers.

Palestinians also hoped that the unity deal would bring an end to fighting between Hamas and Fatah, but tensions have remained high.

In his first act after swearing in the new government, Abbas appointed Hamas's long-time foe, Mohammad Dahlan, as national security adviser, angering the Islamist movement.

Over objections from Fatah, Hamas has pushed ahead with plans to double the size of its Executive Force to 12,000 members.

The force is built mostly from members of Hamas's armed wing, which on Monday carried out its first attacks against Israelis since a shaky Gaza truce took effect in November.