Former Palestinian minister escapes drive-by shooting in Ramallah

Unknown gunmen opened fire at the car and office of former Palestinian Finance Minister Salam Fayyad in West Bank city of Ramallah on Monday morning, but the official was not hurt, according to witnesses and security sources.

According to witnesses, a group of gunmen, riding in a fast car, aimed their guns at Fayyad's office and his car that was parked in front of the building.

It is not clear whether that Fayyad, an independent figure close to Fatah, was in the car or the office when the drive-by shooting happened, but security sources confirmed that he was well, adding that Fayyad had came to the office of President Mahmoud Abbas in the city to attend a meeting of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

The shooting came amid violence in West Bank where Fatah militants have burnt several foundations affiliated with the governing Hamas movement last night in response to the factional fighting in Gaza.

Meanwhile, unknown gunmen have wounded two local deputy mayors linked with Hamas in West Bank. In Gaza, Hamas has organized militia that often clash with militants of rival Fatah movement.

Source: Xinhua