Factional clashes renew in Gaza despite mediation efforts

Armed clashes between Fatah movement led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the ruling Hamas movement recurred in the Gaza Strip on Sunday night, in spite of the ongoing mediation efforts by Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Palestinian eyewitnesses and medics reported that two Palestinians were killed in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, where fresh round of violence erupted on Sunday evening following a wave of mutual abductions between the two rival groups.

Medics said that eight Palestinians sustained gun wounds from the clashes.

Meanwhile, Palestinian security sources said that clashes also renewed in northern Gaza Strip between Hamas-dominated Interior Ministry Security Force and Fatah movement's militants.

No injuries were reported in the clashes, said the sources.

The fresh violence erupted as Fatah voiced acceptance of an Egyptian initiative aimed at ending the factional infighting that prevailed in the Palestinian territories.

A high-ranking Egyptian delegation presented a five-point initiative to the conflicting Palestinian factions, calling for an immediate end of infighting between Palestinian rival movements.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Hamas, Fatah and the Palestinian government have all expressed welcome to an offer by Saudi Arabia to host talks among fighting rivals under sponsorship of the Saudi authorities.

However, the armed clashes between Fatah and Hamas militants show no signs of ceasing, in spite of the intense mediation efforts by Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Source: Xinhua