Source: Alalam.ir, 16-12-2006
GAZA CITY, The political leader of governing Palestinian movement Hamas, Khaled Mashaal, has appealed for restraint by party members to prevent a civil war between Palestinian factions.
He referred to growing intra-Palestinian violence in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank between Hamas members and those of President Mahmoud Abbas` Fatah movement.
"I appeal to all the sons of the movement and its members to exercise restraint, to protect Palestinian blood, Palestinian unity and not to be drawn into attacks and counter-attacks," said Mashaal in a telephone interview broadcast by Hamas radio in Gaza City.
"Our fight is against the Israeli occupation and we will not let ourselves been drawn into a civil war," added Mashaal, currently exiled in Syria.
The latest clashes between the two rival groups broke out Friday, after Hamas accused Fatah of trying to kill Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh during an attack on his convoy.
The attack against the Hamas official, which took place Thursday at a border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, left one of Haniyeh`s bodyguards dead and his son wounded.