Two killed, including young boy, in Palestinian infighting

A 4-year-old boy caught in the crossfire of a shootout between Fatah and Hamas forces died of his wounds yesterday, while a pro-Fatah security man was abducted and killed, Palestinian security officials said, raising tensions between the sides just days after the formation of their unity government.

Hassan Abu Nada, 4, was wounded during a gunfight Thursday in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya. Relatives said the boy died from his wounds early Friday.

The boy's father cradled the small body of the boy, wrapped in a green shroud, as he led hundreds of people in a funeral procession. Palestinian security officials said the family had not been targeted by the Hamas gunmen, but lived in the same building as a wanted Fatah militant commander.

More than 140 people have been killed in factional violence in the Gaza Strip since last May in the wake of Hamas' election victory over Fatah. The two sides finalized a power-sharing deal last Saturday aimed in large part at ending the infighting.

Despite efforts by the new interior minister to mediate, tensions remain high. Fatah and Hamas forces have each set up roadblocks in Gaza, and have massed forces to protect strategic targets.

Late Friday, the bullet-riddled body of a pro-Fatah security man was found outside the home of a Hamas family, hours after he was kidnapped by unknown assailants, security officials said. The whereabouts of a second man kidnapped with him were unknown, the officials said.

Security officials said the dead officer was involved in a shooting last week that killed a Hamas militant. His body was found outside the home of the dead militant's family, the officials said. The family had vowed revenge after last week's shooting, they said.

Hamas officials were not immediately available for comment.

On Thursday, a Gaza man was killed during a showdown between his Fatah-affiliated family and members of a Hamas militia. Earlier in the week, a 24-year-old Fatah man was killed in an armed clash between Fatah and Hamas supporters.