Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations    

    GAZA, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- A member of Hamas security forces was killed early Saturday in clashes with a clan in eastern Gaza city, witnesses and medical sources said.

    A spokesman for Hamas police said the clashes also wounded four policemen and four from "the trouble makers in Helles family in al-Sheja'eya neighborhood in eastern Gaza city."

    "The police succeeded to take over several highlands and towers that the outlaws controlled and we arrested a number of them," said spokesman Islam Shahwan in a statement sent to the media.

    Shahwan added that the attack on the pro-Fatah family was part of the police campaign to chase down suspects who may have involved in July 25 beachside mysterious blast that killed a girl and five Hamas members.

    "The clashes are taking place with the suspects," Shahwan said.

    Witnesses said both sides used mortar and RPG shells in the fighting and the police said they will not leave the area unless imposing full control on it.

    Meanwhile, a member of Helles family said the clan will "fight to defend itself," accusing Hamas of "trying to export its internal crisis by accusing the family of being behind the beach explosion."

    Following the beach blast, Hamas immediately accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party of being implicated in the crime. Backed with the movement's armed wing, Hamas launched a crackdown against Fatah supporters and organizations, arresting hundreds of them and shutting down dozens of civil society institutions.

    In June last year, Hamas routed pro-Abbas forces and ousted his Fatah movement in deadly fighting, taking over the Gaza Strip and widening the political split with the Fatah-controlled West Bank.