Clashes erupt as Hamas deploys gunmen in Gaza

Thousands of security forces, dominated by the once ruling Fatah, and gunmen loyal to the now governing Hamas deployed in strength for a second day running amid spiralling concerns about Palestinian civil unrest.

A Hamas gunman was also wounded.

The auxiliary force -- created without the consent of Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas, overall commander-in-chief of security -- comes under the direct command of Hamas interior minister Said Siam and is closely linked to the Islamists' armed branch, the Ezzedin al-Qassam Brigades.

Two Fatah loyalist policemen were lightly injured and a member of the new Hamas auxiliary security force more seriously hurt when tensions spilled over into overnight gunbattles in Gaza City.

"A suspicious car opened fire on policemen then on the new (Hamas) armed force, provoking clashes between the two sides," said interior ministry spokesman Khaled Abu Hilal after medical sources reported the injuries.

Fatah spokesman Tawfiq Abu Khussa levelled full blame at the Qassam Brigades for sparking the clashes, accusing Hamas of stirring up trouble and theft.

"A national security car was stolen and used against police. It was definitely the work of a black militia (Hamas's Qassam Brigades) which wants to create tensions. It has nothing to do with protecting security," he told AFP.

Police said members of the new force opened fire on the police headquarters in Gaza City, while witnesses reported other gunbattles elsewhere in Gaza City overnight that broke up without causing any casualties.

On Friday, traditionally a Muslim day of rest and prayer for Palestinians, hundreds of security officers and Hamas militiamen were out in force -- in parts of Gaza City displaying an even greater show of strength than on Thursday.

Gunmen from the new unit patrolled the major intersections, short distances away from armed preventative security officers in downtown Gaza and outside the Shatti refugee camp, an AFP reporter said.