Palestinian Infighting Continues to Divide Gaza City

JIM LEHRER:

Now, that deadly Palestinian power struggle. Ray Suarez has our story.

RAY SUAREZ:

Gunfire rang out across Gaza today, the fourth day of fighting between rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas. More than 40 people have been killed in the latest battles, the highest toll since the unity government was forged two months ago. The interior minister resigned two days ago in frustration.

In a pre-dawn attack today, Hamas militants stormed the house of the Fatah security chief, killing six of his employees. The security chief was not home at the time.

Yesterday, fighters loyal to Hamas killed nine when they attacked presidential guard troops. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, leader of Fatah, has appealed to end the fighting.

MAHMOUD ABBAS, President, Palestinian Authority (through translator):

The Palestinians' first priority is ending lawlessness and chaos, and also we must do that by implementing the security plan, without any reluctance or delay, to put an end to civil strife and the ghost of internal fighting.

RAY SUAREZ:

Israel unilaterally evacuated Gaza two years ago and has also been drawn in to this conflict. Yesterday, Hamas launched a salvo of rocket attacks on a town just outside Gaza, wounding five Israelis. Today, Israeli helicopters responded, firing missiles at a Hamas command center in southern Gaza, killing at least four.

But the latest fighting pits Fatah against Hamas. Fatah has dominated Palestinian government and politics for four decades. The Fatah government of President Abbas has financial backing from the U.S. and other nations, including $43 million for Abbas' presidential guard.

Hamas refuses to acknowledge or negotiate with Israel. It won parliamentary elections last year. But the U.S. and European Union refused to release money to a Hamas government because of its stand on Israel and terrorism.

That forced the two parties to the negotiating table in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, two months ago, where they forged the power-sharing unity government. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh spoke to reporters just after the agreement.

ISMAIL HANIYEH, Prime Minister, Palestinian National Authority (through translator):

The Palestinian people — Fatah, Hamas, and all the factions — God willing, will prove to the sons of the Arab nation that they are able to undertake this responsibility, they will protect this agreement, will be committed to implementing it. It will have positive effects on our people.