Fatah man killed by Hamas militants

[oberliner]

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - A battle between gunmen from Hamas and Fatah in the Gaza Strip left one Fatah man dead before daybreak Thursday, Palestinian officials said, the first fatality in Palestinian infighting since a truce between the rival factions took hold more than two weeks ago.

Five others were injured in the gunbattle near Rafah, two of them seriously, Palestinian hospital officials said.

The Islamic group Hamas and the more moderate Fatah have been battling for power in the chaotic coastal territory for more than a year in fierce bursts of violence that end in brittle truces, only to erupt again. More than 50 Palestinians died in the last round of fighting, which began in mid-May.

The Fatah man was killed when Hamas fighters encircled a house belonging to Fatah supporters, according to a security official in Rafah. The fighting continued after that incident, with masked Hamas men surrounding four other homes belonging to Fatah officials, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

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