“All they want is a state of their own” update from VOA:
Palestinian security forces from rival Fatah and Hamas factions have engaged in a gun battle in Gaza City.
Media reports say two police officers loyal to the Fatah faction of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were wounded in the fighting late Thursday.
A member of the Hamas force was also shot and wounded.
Tensions rose earlier this week when Hamas deployed a 3,000-strong police force made up mostly of militants – defying Mr. Abbas. In response, he ordered Palestinian police under his control to also deploy.
In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned the creation of rival Palestinian security forces is creating a dangerous situation. She said all Palestinian parties should respect the need of the Palestinian people to not have violence in the streets…
In a related story from Reuters, “Tensions rise after Hamas aide caught with cash”
GAZA – Rival Palestinian forces faced off briefly at Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt on Friday after a Hamas official was caught with 639,000 euros ($804,000) hidden in his clothing, authorities said.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh vowed during Friday prayers not to disband a new Hamas-led security force and said he was prepared to increase its size in defiance of President Mahmoud Abbas and the Bush administration.