PALESTINE:Rival Palestinian factions fought gun battles in the Gaza Strip yesterday and at least five Hamas militants were wounded, Hamas officials said.
Factional fighting has worsened since Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah called for early elections last month in his power struggle with the governing Hamas faction.
Tensions rose further at the weekend after Mr Abbas declared illegal Hamas's nearly 6,000-strong "executive force".
The Islamist militant group, which took control of the Palestinian government in March, has vowed to double the size of the "executive force".
The latest factional violence was triggered by the abductions overnight of five Hamas gunmen.
Fatah militants said the gunmen were seized for questioning because they were suspected of planning attacks. The five were released hours later but their vehicles came under fire as they left the scene. At least two of the Hamas men were wounded.
Hamas said three members of the "executive force" were also hurt when Fatah gunmen fired a grenade at their vehicle.
Fatah denied any role in the shootings.