5 Palestinians killed as internal tensions reignite in Gaza Strip

Five Palestinians, including four Fatah members and a woman bystander, were killed Wednesday as simmering internal tensions seemed to erupt once again in the Gaza Strip, after a lull of several weeks.

In the southern Gaza town of Khan Yunis, three security officials loyal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas were killed Wednesday afternoon when unidentified gunmen attacked their vehicles, hospital officials said.

Abbas's Preventive Security force blamed the ruling Hamas movement for the attack.

Before the ambush, the security officers stormed a house where they believed a colleague who had been kidnapped earlier in the day was being held, officials said in a statement.


more...