2 killed in gunfight at Hamas funeral

2 killed in gunfight at Hamas funeral

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Gunfire erupted at a Hamas funeral procession Thursday, killing two people and wounded 14 others, Palestinian medical officials said.

The funeral was for two Hamas fighters killed during the latest wave of Palestinian factional violence. The officials said it was unclear who fired the bullets during the funeral, but the unrest threatened to unravel a lull in the fighting.

Witnesses said members of the procession were firing their weapons into the air — a common practice at Palestinian funerals — when unknown assailants began shooting at them.

In local radio broadcasts, Fatah and Hamas officials accused each other of violating the latest cease-fire meant to halt this week's factional fighting in Gaza.

A total of 22 people were killed on Wednesday, as gunfire and explosions raged across Gaza City in the most widespread fighting in nearly a year of clashes between Hamas and Fatah.

Raging street battles have turned the densely populated seaside city into a war zone, putting terrified civilians increasingly at risk. During the fighting, masked gunmen took over otherwise deserted streets, trapping frightening residents in their homes.

The violence has left the fragile unity government in tatters, though Fatah and Hamas leaders have said they hope to preserve the coalition. A main goal of the alliance, formed in March, was to halt months of factional violence, but the unity deal never addressed a key area of dispute — control over Palestinian security forces.