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Rival Palestinian Factions Clash Despite New Ceasefire
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1617999:A6F02AD83191E1608965BD608B6EAE3F9574F7DCC14957C0 Clashes defied
ceasefire which aimed to halt the slide toward a civil war as death
toll exceeds 80 since December





Palestinian holds poster of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat
during rally calling for an end to internal fighting, in Hebron, 3 Feb
2007Fighting between rival Palestinian factions is continuing in the
Gaza Strip, where 28 people have been killed since Thursday. As Robert
Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, leaders from both sides
will hold talks this week in a bid to end the bloodshed.

Gunmen from the ruling Islamic militant group Hamas attacked bases of
the rival Fatah faction in Gaza, firing assault rifles, mortars and
rocket-propelled grenades. Mortar shells exploded near the offices of
moderate Palestinian President and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas.

The clashes defied a ceasefire reached Saturday, which aimed to halt
the slide toward a Palestinian civil war.

More than 80 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting since
December, when talks on a national unity government collapsed and Mr.
Abbas called for early elections. Hamas has been crippled by
international sanctions because of its refusal to renounce violence
and recognize Israel.

President Abbas wants to form a more moderate government, which would
be acceptable to the international community and restore the flow of
vital aid.

Mr. Abbas will meet with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal on Tuesday in
Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in a bid to end the fighting and resume coalition
talks.

But Palestinian analyst Wadia Abu Nasser says there is little chance
of bridging the gaps.

"I believe that, even if a solution will be reached, it will be a
temporary solution because Fatah and Hamas, they have contradictory
interests," he said.

Mr. Abbas hopes to achieve Palestinian statehood through
internationally-backed peace talks with Israel, while Hamas seeks the
destruction of Israel by force.


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