Hamas job stirs protest

GAZA - Dozens of Palestinians clashed yesterday in Gaza over a security dispute between the Hamas-led Palestinian Government and President Mahmoud Abbas in the worst internal fighting in months.

Students and militants loyal to Islamic militant group Hamas or to Fatah exchanged gunfire and threw stones and pipe bombs at one another in Gaza, wounding 20 people. Palestinians also rallied in the West Bank.

The dispute was triggered by Hamas' announcement last week that a security team, headed by a top militant loyal to Hamas and wanted by Israel, would enforce order in Gaza.

The appointment of Jamal Abu Samhadana was widely seen as an attempt by Hamas to strengthen its grip on the Interior Ministry.

Abbas cancelled the appointments. A senior Palestinian official said any decision made by anyone but Abbas was illegal.

- REUTERS