Middle East

43 killed in past 48 hours: Palestinian official

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-06-13 04:00

Chief of emergency in the Palestinian Health Ministry Mo'aweya Hassanein said that 43 Palestinians were killed and 80 wounded in the worst ever wave of infighting between Fatah and Hamas.

Hassanein told reporters that 21 Palestinians were killed only on Tuesday night during fierce gunbattles east of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza Strip, adding that 60 others were wounded.

He added that since the eruption of clashes between rival Fatah and Hamas movements' militants, 22 Palestinians were killed and 30 wounded all over the Gaza Strip, adding that the death toll has now reached 43.

Earlier on Tuesday evening, fierce clashes flared near a compound belonging to the Palestinian national security forces east of the refugee camp of Jabalia in northern Gaza Strip, eyewitnesses and security sources said.

Sources from Hamas and the security forces confirmed that the compound was totally occupied by Islamic Hamas militants and the auxiliary force of the interior ministry controlled by the movement in the national unity government.

Eyewitnesses said that there were dozens killed and wounded on the ground outside and inside the security compound, adding that it was difficult for ambulances and rescue teams to get into the area.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneya said in a written statement e-mailed to reporters in Gaza that he calls on the fighting groups to end their fighting immediately and get back to the negotiation table.

"I call on fighting parties for self-control, end this chapter of conflict and immediately get back to the negotiation table," Haneya's statement said, accusing Fatah movement for being " secular and doesn't believe in political partnership."