Two members of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement were shot dead in Gaza on Sunday by unknown assailants which Fatah blamed on gunmen from the rival Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

Witnesses said the gunmen opened fire at the car of Bahaa Abu Jarad, a senior Fatah militant, in northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahiya.

Abu Jarad died after arriving at the hospital and one of his colleagues accompanying him when the shooting took place was also dead, a hospital official said.

It is the bloodiest incident since the two movements formed a national unity government on March 18.

Hassan al-Wali, a spokesman for Fatah in northern Gaza Strip, blamed Hamas militant for killing Abu Jarad and his colleague.

He also criticized Interior Minister Hani al-Qawasmeh for delaying the launch of a security plan.

Following the incident, tens of Fatah militants took to the streets near the hospital where the bodies of the two slain were held.

Meanwhile, al-Qawasmeh has suspended his resignation and decided to resume the work.

The minister said he agreed with Prime Minister Ismail Haneya to take practical steps to launch the security plan, involving the interior ministry's security apparatuses and the agencies that belong to President Abbas.

Source: Xinhua