Leaders of the Fatah faction have asked Israel to allow its terrorists to escape Gaza by sea, Voice of Israel government radio reported Thursday morning. It was not clear where Israel was requested to sent the terrorists.

Fatah fears that Hamas will carry out another massive attack on its militia terrorists, including the elite Presidential Guards who have been surrounded in their northern Gaza compound. The United States has backed the Fatah militia with equipment, much of which has been confiscated by Hamas.