Hamas and Fatah fighters waged gun battles in the Gaza Strip that raised to seven the number of people killed in the deadliest clashes between the rival Palestinian factions in months.
The fighting began yesterday when Fatah supporters gathered to mark their group's anniversary in defiance of a ban by the territory's Islamist rulers.
Gunmen armed with automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and mortar bombs fought it out in Gaza City. Smoke rose from burning cars and several houses were badly damaged.
Medical workers said four Hamas men and three Fatah supporters had been killed since yesterday.
President Mahmoud Abbas has said he is willing to enter into a dialogue with Hamas but only if it first returned the beleaguered coastal strip to his control, a condition Hamas has repeatedly rejected.
Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in June, routing the Fatah forces of Mr Abbas.
Seven people were killed in November when a massive Fatah rally to mark the third anniversary of the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat ended in gunfire.
