Factional violence raged again between Hamas and Fatah in the Gaza Strip Wednesday afternoon, leaving four people dead, including a woman, security sources said.

Gunbattles started in northern Gaza Strip and reached the south, where two security men loyal to Fatah were killed in clashes in Khan Yunis. Three were wounded in the clashes.

One hour earlier, hospital sources said that a 22-year-old woman died after being shot in the head during an exchange of fire between Hamas and Fatah gunmen in Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza Strip.

The violence began when a Fatah member was gunned down by a sniper while guarding outside a house of a senior militant in the north.

The family of the slain accused Hamas militants of being behind the killing and responded by opening fire at Hamas supporters who came out of a mosque.

The ruling Hamas movement and Fatah led by President Mahmoud Abbas are engaged in a power struggle, although the two factions agreed to end armed clashes last month.

Source: Xinhua