At least two Palestinians have been killed in renewed factional fighting in the Gaza Strip near the pro-Hamas Islamic University.
One of the dead was believed to be a university student who was caught in the cross fire, witnesses said.
Palestinian children watch the funeral of two-year-old Yehya Abu Bakrah who was killed yesterday
The fighting comes a day after Hamas gunmen stormed the home of a militant from the rival Fatah movement, sparking a deadly gunbattle and capping a day of factional violence across the Gaza Strip that killed 16 people, including a 2-year-old boy.
The fighting was among the deadliest in nearly two months and marred the first anniversary of Hamas' upset victory in Palestinian elections.
Gun battles raged across Gaza City yesterday and continued early today.
The heaviest shooting was concentrated around the home of Mansour Shaleil, a local Fatah leader in the Jebaliya refugee camp just north of Gaza City.
Hamas gunmen surrounded the home early yesterday to detain Shaleil, accusing him of involvement in a shooting that killed two Hamas supporters. After an hours-long standoff, dozens of Hamas gunmen stormed the house and exchanged fire with Shaleil and his supporter, according to witnesses and ambulance drivers.
They later withdrew, Palestinian media reported, leaving Shaleil unharmed. Two men identified as Hamas militants were killed.
Fatah gunmen, meanwhile, kidnapped 19 Hamas militants and threatened to kill them if Shaleil was harmed, officials on both sides said. After Shaleil's rescue, Hamas and Fatah officials said they were working with mediators to arrange the hostages' release.
During the day, fighting also spread to the headquarters of the pro-Fatah Preventive Security agency in Gaza City. Four Hamas gunmen were killed in a battle outside a nearby mosque. Hamas accused Fatah gunmen of starting the battle and wounding several worshippers in a drive-by attack. Mortar shells and rocket-propelled grenades were fired during the melee, smashing windows on several homes.
In other incidents, fighting erupted outside the residences of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar of Hamas. Hamas officials said Zahar's home was damaged by two rocket-propelled grenades.
Hundreds of security forces loyal to Abbas - who was in Europe at the time - were sent into the streets to protect his compound and various security installations.
In all, 16 people were killed and 66 wounded yesterday, according to Health Ministry officials. The dead included 2-year-old boy Yehya Abu Bakrah who was shot while traveling in a car in the southern town of Khan Younis. Hamas and Fatah officials accused each other of firing the deadly shot.