Smoke rises from a building inside the Islamic University in Gaza, Feb. 2, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    GAZA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Heavy clashes resumed in Gaza on Saturday despite a ceasefire agreement reached on Friday between leaders of Palestinian mainstream movements of Fatah and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

    Gaza City has been witnessing armed clashes since predawn, where explosions and intensive gunfire can be heard around the city, witnesses said.

    Palestinian medics at Shiffa Hospital in Gaza City said that clashes erupted on Saturday morning in the city, mainly near the Saraya security compound in Gaza downtown, wounding six Palestinians.

    Witnesses said that ambulances were not able to reach the wounded people immediately due to the intensive gunfire in the area, adding that many streets and roads are still blocked by barriers.

    Palestinian security sources said that Fatah militants launched an attack on the building of the minister of communication and technological information in Gaza City, severely damaging the building but causing no casualties.

    A recent medical statistic issued by the Health Ministry said that this round of violence that erupted in Gaza on Thursday afternoon has killed 25 Palestinians and wounded 240.

    Meanwhile, United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) decided to close down schools it is running out of security consideration.

    Life had been completely paralyzed in the Gaza Strip, where traffics and schools stopped and most shops were closed down. The streets are almost empty except roadblocks and security forces.

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    Erekat: Palestinians to pay price for factional fighting

    RAMALLAH, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat warned on Saturday that the Palestinian people will pay high price for factional fighting that is prevailing in the Palestinian territories.  

    Hamas, Fatah to restart cease-fire in principle

    RAMALLAH, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) - A spokesman of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announced late Friday that a new Gaza cease-fire had been reached following the fierce fighting between rival Hamas and Fatah gunmen which left at least 11 dead on the day.

    Palestinian Fatah, Hamas agree to end Gaza inter-fighting

    GAZA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) - Leaders of rival Fatah movement and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said here Friday afternoon that they had agreed, under an Egyptian diplomats' initiative, to end their armed fighting in the Gaza Strip.

    Despite of the agreement, militants from the Hamas-led interior auxiliary force and President Mahmoud Abbas security forces continued fighting in Gaza Strip.

   New wave of Palestinian factional fighting leaves 13 dead, 180 wounded

   GAZA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Bloody clashes between Palestinian factions, which erupted in the Gaza Strip from Thursday afternoon, had left 13 Palestinians dead and about 180 others injured, medics and security sources reported Friday.

    Palestinian security sources said the toughest armed clashes and gun battles took place at the Islamic University of Gaza and the building of Hamas-led Interior Ministry in western Gaza City.

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