Saturday, August 02, 2008
Elder of Ziyon
At least nine were killed in clashes between Hamas and the Fatah-linked Helles family in Gaza. At least one of the dead was a 14-year old child from that family. There are reports of 90 wounded. The fighting included lots of mortars and machine gun fire. Hamas has been blaming that family lately for the bombing a week ago that killed 5 Hamas members.
At least two of the dead today were Hamas members.
There are reports that Hamas prevented ambulances from reaching Helles family members during the fighting.
Hamas has also been using machine guns against Army of Islam members in Gaza, no reports on injuries there.
There have been a number of arrests in Gaza of Fatah members, and Fatah in the West Bank has been retaliating against Hamas members there as well.
In the West Bank, two were killed and several wounded in fighting in the town of Jaba under unclear circumstances. One of the dead was also a 14 year old boy.
The 2008 PalArab self-death count is now at 137.
UPDATE: PCHR counts the bodies: 8 from the Helles clan, 2 from Hamas, one other. Unlike earlier reports, no children dead.
All of the Helles deaths were from gunshots to the head or chest, making it sound like executions.
The count is now at 139.
UPDATE 2: Clan clash in Bethlehem, one dead. 140.
UPDATE 3 (8/4): Another member of the Helles family has succumbed to injuries from Hamas. 141.
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