WORLD> Middle East
Hamas: operation on Helles clan is over
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-03 09:39

GAZA -- Minister of interior in the deposed Hams-led government in Gaza Said Siam announced on Saturday that the security operation carried out against the pro-rival Fatah movement Helles clan in eastern Gaza city is over.

Siam told a news conference held in Gaza at the end of Hamas security forces' security operation that Helles clan's members violated the law and his police detained several suspects.

Palestinian witnesses said that more than 120 members of the Helles clan fled their homes and went to the border between eastern Gaza city and Israel after Hamas security forces took control of Sheja'eya neighborhood, where Helles clans live.

"We will not let any family or clan to be above the law. Gaza from now and further will be safe," Siam told reporters, adding that the suspects who were detained will be taken to court and thelaw will be implemented.

Palestinian sources said that senior Fatah leader Ahmed Helles, better known as Abu Maher and dozens of his clan's members escaped from their homes and went to the borders' area between Gaza and Israel.

The sources told the local news agency "Ramattan" in Gaza that 120 people, who escaped after several hours of fighting in the neighborhood between Hamas police and Helles clan's militants, managed to cross the borders between Gaza and Israel.

The sources added that the fleeing members of Helles clan will arrive in Ramallah through Israel. Their entrance was coordinated between Israel and the office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Earlier on Saturday, Hamas security forces and Hamas armed wingal-Qassam Brigades stormed Sheja'eya neighborhood to search for suspects involved in a July 25 attack on a Hamas car in Gaza that killed six people.

Heavy fighting erupted in the area and lasted for several hours, said Palestinian residents in the area. Palestinian medical sources said that four Palestinians were killed and 80 wounded.

The Hamas-ruled ministry of interior announced in a statement that the operation against Helles clan is over, adding that several suspects were arrested, while explosives, bombs and weapons were discovered.