Clashes anger Palestinians

Dubai: As Israel escalated attacks and inter-factional violence continued yesterday, Palestinians in the besieged in the Gaza Strip directed anger towards Hamas and Fatah, as well as Israel.

Despite declarations of ceasefire between Hamas and Fatah, sporadic violence continued for the fifth day, while Israel launched a series of missile strikes on Gaza killing at least two Palestinians, in what they described as reprisals for Qassam rocket attacks into Israeli territory.

Yet, civilians on the ground say they fear the actions of both sides.

According to UN figures, since Sunday, the internal fighting in Gaza has left at least 37 dead and 114 injured, in the third round of intense factional fighting. Over 130 Palestinians have been killed in the internal crisis since January.

"My home is near an intelligence base and was caught in the crossfire [on Wednesday], leaving bullet holes in my apartment. Luckily everyone is alright," Abu Elias, 28, said via telephone from Gaza, shortly after the second Israeli air attack on Gaza City.

"Most people are very pessimistic about the situation and we feel under threat from both sides. On the streets we don't even know who is shooting at whom, because the faction members are masked. There is a great deal of confusion."

Breakdown of law

The main problem lies with the breakdown in the rule of law and the widespread possession of weapons, he said, laying blame on the recently formed unity government for failing to crackdown on lawlessness in the isolated region.

In the southern Palestinian town of Rafah yesterday, Anees, a 21-year-old student, was at the funeral of those killed in the Wednesday's Israeli airstrike on Hamas' southern headquarters, when violence broke out between Hamas and Fatah forces.

"People are feeling so confused. We know that when we are killed by Israel, you are a martyr, but if you are killed by a Palestinian will you go to heaven? Who knows? Nobody can control Gaza right now. Everyone has a gun, even a child; this is the problem. No one respects the rule of law," he said.

According to the director of a women's health centre in Rafah, Abu Rami, yesterday few people were seen on the streets, as the violence continued.

Children, including his own 11-year-old son, left their schools, fearful of the shooting between the factions. With exams next week, Abu Rami says he spent the day teaching his children at home, trying to instill a sense of normalcy.

"We are under Israeli occupation and they are bombing us with Apache helicopters. At the same time, Hamas and Fatah are also attacking from another area. We feel threatened from both sides.

"Everyone is afraid about now and the future - perhaps tomorrow will be worse than today."