The governing Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announced on Saturday it has withdrew from inter- Palestinian talks that aim to form a unity government following two days of their clashes in Gaza.

"Hamas declares suspension of its participation in the national dialogue to create a national unity government because of the ongoing massacres that are carried out by coup-makers," Hamas said in a written statement.

Holding President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement responsible for the deadly conflict, the statement called on Abbas to cut short his European tour and return back to the Palestinian territories.

Until Saturday noon, some 17 Palestinians, most are Hamas and Fatah militants, were killed in the gun battles that erupted on Thursday night when a jeep for Hamas-led Auxiliary Forces came under fire and one member died.

The renewed violence has blocked the inter-Palestinian talks that were resumed last Tuesday.

Accordingly, the factions were due to meet last night to discuss a new formula of the future government's political program.

"Unfortunately, the latest incidents have prevented agreement from coming into effect or taking resolutions like, for example, forming a committee to investigate the incidents," said Kayed al- Ghoul, a member of the Higher Committee of the Palestinian Factions, the body that oversee unity government talks.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement called on the rival factions of Fatah and Hamas to stop fighting and urged them to pay attention to the Israeli "aggression" against Islamic shrines in Jerusalem.

Source: Xinhua