PALESTINIAN gunmen from Hamas and Fatah exchanged fire in the Gaza Strip early yesterday, killing a local militia leader and wounding seven people.

It was the most serious violence since a power-sharing deal between the political rivals last month.

Both sides blamed each other for starting the battle in the northern town of Beit Hanoun.

Hamas said a truckload of Fatah gunmen opened fire on the militant group’s forces near the town’s sports club, killing a Hamas field commander, Mohammed Kafarneh.

Fatah said the shooting began when Hamas attacked a compound of the security forces with rocket-propelled grenades. Later, Hamas and Fatah gunmen also exchanged fire for a few minutes in Gaza City.

(SD-Agencies)