Rival Palestinian factions fought gun battles in the Gaza Strip today in which at least five Hamas militants were wounded, Hamas officials said.
Hamas said three members of its nearly 6,000-strong "Executive Force" were also hurt when Fatah gunmen fired a rocket-propelled grenade at their vehicle.
Fatah denied any role in the shootings, accusing Hamas of stockpiling weapons to fight Palestinian opponents.
Factional fighting has worsened since Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah called last month for early elections in his power struggle with the governing Hamas faction.
Tensions rose further at the weekend after Mr as declared illegal the "Executive Force". The Islamist militant group, which took control of the Palestinian government in March after beating Fatah in parliamentary elections, has vowed to defy Mr Abbas by doubling the size of that force.
The latest factional violence was triggered by the abductions overnight of five Hamas gunmen - four from Hamas's armed wing and one from the "Executive Force".
Fatah militants said the gunmen were seized for questioning because they were suspected of planning attacks. The five were released hours late, but their vehicles came under fire as they left the scene. At least two of the Hamas men were wounded.