Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.

Fatah Militants Release Hamas Deputy Mayor, Violence Continues
--------------------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=15AE53E:A6F02AD83191E1608713F4FF173D15419574F7DCC14957C0 In neighboring
town of al-Bireh, officials say gunmen staged attack today on Hamas
mayor





Mahdi al-Khamdali talks on a mobile phone after his release by Fatah
gunmen, 8 Jan 2007Palestinian militants loyal to the Fatah party have
released the deputy mayor of Nablus, as violence between Palestinian
factions continues.

Mahdi al-Khamdali was released two days after he was kidnapped in the
West Bank city. He said Monday that he was not harmed by his captors.

Meanwhile, suspected Fatah militants have vandalized several stores in
the West Bank city of Ramallah owned by Hamas supporters.

In the neighboring town of al-Bireh, officials say gunmen staged an
attack Monday on the Hamas mayor. The attack failed.

Factional fighting between supporters of Fatah and the ruling Hamas
group has killed more than 30 people in Gaza in recent weeks. The
violence has included kidnappings in both Gaza and the occupied West
Bank.

Violence broke out last month after Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas, of Fatah, said he would call for early elections.

Fatah and Hamas had been negotiating to form a unity government, but
the talks failed.

Last January, Hamas won Palestinian elections for parliament. Hamas
now controls the parliament and the cabinet. Fatah has the presidency.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.




.