Palestinian security officer dies of wounds he sustained on Monday

Tuesday January 30, 2007 12:43 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Palestinian medical sources reported that a Palestinian security officer of the 17 force, a Fatah affiliated force, died on Tuesday morning due to wounds he sustained on Monday during the Hamas Fatah infighting in Khan Younies city in the southern Gaza strip.

Sources in Nasser hospital reported that Atief Al Najar, 43, died due to wounds in the legs and groin, sources in Khan Younies reported that Al Najar was shot by troops from the executive force, a Hamas affiliated force.

On Monday at least seven Palestinians were killed during internal clashes between the two rival parties Fatah and Hamas, bringing the death toll due to infighting since Thursday to at least 35.

A cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Fateh was reached at 3 A.M on Tuesday. The two movements agreed to withdraw all gunmen from the streets, and to release all abductees.

The cease-fire agreement was announced in a press release in Gaza in the presence of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyya, and Rawhi Fattouh, representing the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Egyptian delegates.

So far local sources in the Gaza strip stated that a state of calm is dominating the streets, but with extreme caution.

khan younis | palestinian politics | news report ghassanb at imemc dot org