Hamas gunmen stormed a security headquarters of the rival Fatah faction in Gaza today as fierce internal fighting claimed at least 26 lives today and moved Palestinians to the brink of civil war.
The violence, described by Gazans as more brutal than in the past, included a shootout in a hospital, throwing people off high-rise buildings and the execution-style slaying of a Fatah field commander outside his home.
It is estimated that at least 70 people have been wounded and more casualties are inevitable.
Early today, the Gaza homes of both Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas were fired on.
Relatives of Fatah leader Jamal Al-Jedyan react during his funeral in northern Gaza today, Reuters.
Later, two gunmen, one from Hamas and the other from Fatah, were killed in the central Gaza Strip. Gunmen also abducted and then killed a member of Hamas's armed wing.
The bloodshed followed fighting yesterday in which at least 14 people were killed. Their deaths raised to about 630 the number of Palestinians killed in internal strife since Hamas came to power in early 2006.
"I think we are in Iraq, not in Gaza," said Ammar, a 40-year-old father of six. "Snipers on rooftops killing people. Bodies mutilated and dumped in the streets in very humiliating ways. Houses bombarded and civilians killed. What else does civil war means but this?"
In one incident, Hamas gunmen burned down the house of a leader of Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, prompting him to vow: "A house for a house and blood for blood. I swear to God I will kill every Hamas person, a civilian or military."
Commanders of the largest security force loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of the secular Fatah faction ordered their units to stand their ground and defeat what they called a "coup".
Hamas militants take up position in a street during street clashes in southern Gaza today, Reuters.
Witnesses saw National Security Force reinforcements heading through empty streets toward the site of clashes with Hamas.
Fatah said its Central Committee would meet today to decide whether to remain in the unity government it formed with Hamas in March in a bid to stop internal violence and ease Western sanctions.
In an ultimatum verging on a declaration of war, Hamas's armed wing had given Fatah an afternoon deadline to evacuate the military intelligence, presidential guard, national security and preventive security headquarters in Gaza City.
After the deadline passed, Hamas fighters attacked a large compound controlled by the Fatah-dominated security forces in Gaza and surrounded the city's main security complex.
An order to the National Security Force (NSF) said: "Advance, our forces! Confront the seekers of the coup. Defend your dignity and your military honour. Defend the security of your people."
Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard and a hospital officials said at least four fightere were killed.
Fatah officials said their men held their ground and NSF reinforcements were later seen moving in vehicles through the deserted streets of Gaza City toward areas where Hamas had asserted control.
In a widening of the conflict to the West Bank, President Abbas's Presidential Guard seized equipment in an office of Hamas's al-Aqsa television in the city of Ramallah. The station, which broadcasts from Gaza, said three staff were detained, and Hamas demanded their release.
Hamas and Fatah have been locked in a power struggle that has touched off a wave of fighting in which at least 20 people have been killed since Saturday.