Region | Palestinian Territories

Hamas fighters defy Abbas

Militant Hamas fighters pick through debris of the Palestinian presidential compound in Gaza while other gunmen fire in the air to hold back civilians eager to loot the place.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 00:00 June 15, 2007
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Reuters
  • Photographs of President Mahmoud Abbas and the late President Yasser Arafat are strewn on the ground as Hamas fighters search inside Abbas's headquarters.
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Gaza: Militant Hamas fighters picked through debris of the Palestinian presidential compound in Gaza on Friday, rejoicing at the defeat of rival Fatah group.

Gunman fired in the air to hold back civilians eager to loot the compound while others drove off in armoured vehicles belonging to the Presidential Guard.

"We have taken the authority," one fighter said as he took a car. Hamas flags flew over the compound as it was stripped of anything moveable following its capture on Thursday.

Hours after Abbas declared a state of emergency and dismissed the Hamas-led government, forces loyal to Prime Minister Esmail Haniya of Hamas took full control of the Gaza Strip. Abbas is due to name an emergency cabinet later on Friday.

Meanwhile, the death toll rose to more than 110 in six days of conflict after at least 30 people were killed in factional clashes on Thursday.

Haniyeh blamed Fatah for abusing its power. "They pushed people into reacting," he said. However, he called for restraint from his fighters and for a “comprehensive dialogue''.

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