 GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Fatah fighters stormed a Hamas-affiliated university on Friday, setting buildings on fire and dealing a sharp blow to HamasÂ’ prestige as a new round of heavy fighting erupted between the two factions throughout the Gaza Strip. Fifteen people, including four children, were killed.
With a total of 22 killed and 245 wounded since Thursday afternoon, Gazans huddled in their homes to escape the crossfire. Hospital officials said were running out of blood to treat the wounded.
| "Better open up a vein in Mahmoud, we need more O-positive!" |
On Friday afternoon, leaders of Hamas and Fatah said they had agreed in principle to a new cease-fire, but needed more ammo meetings to work out the details of a pullback of forces, who were battling in the streets with mortar shells, rockets and heavy guns.
| All that ammo expended and so little in the way of deaders ... |
The deal was announced after a meeting at the Egyptian embassy. “We, the leaders of the two groups, agreed with God’s help on a cease-fire,” said Nizar Rayan, a regional Hamas leader, after the meeting.
| I'm not sure Allan (PTUI) had a whole lot to do with this. Then again, maybe he did. |
“The measures that will be taken on the ground will be discussed in the next few hours.” A Fatah spokesman, Abdel Hakim Awad, confirmed agreement was reached in principle.
An earlier truce unravelled after just two hours days. Previous rounds of talks have ended in failure and often led to new waves of bloodshed.
| Which is why they'll try again! |
In another effort to end the fighting, Abbas was to travel Tuesday to Saudi Arabia for talks with HamasÂ’ supreme leader, Khaled Mashaal, on forming a national unity government, said Jamal Shobaki, Palestinian ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
| Yeah, get the Saoodis involved, they can fix anything. |
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