At least 65 people were wounded in the attack and ensuing counter attacks south of Gaza City, while Hamas militia forces also fired on PA intelligence equipment in the northern Gaza region. One of those killed was Ramadhan Mshallah, belonged to the widely feared Force 17, loyal to Abbas.
The deadly attack followed another truce that was announced earlier this week by the rival factions, and spurred dozens of gunfights throughout the region, leaving stores and shops shut down.
Hamas charged that the convoy was carrying military jeeps and weapons shipped from an Arab country and destined for the elite President Guard, the personal army of Abbas. Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan stated, "A large cargo of weapons was transported yesterday" via Egypt. "These weapons are intended for the Presidential Guard and the Fatah putschists," Radwan charged.
PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas stated that the convoy was carrying tents and medical supplies, and not weapons as Hamas contended.
The United States, with Israel's consent, has encouraged the influx of weapons for Fatah in order to make sure it has the upper hand against Hamas, which has been smuggling and stockpiling a huge array of weapons, including rocket propelled grenades, rockets and anti-tank missiles.
The Hamas and Fatah militias have been engaged in sporadic clashes until last December, when Abbas threatened he would call new legislative elections in the wake of Hamas's refusal to agree to terms for a unity government, although Hamas handily won a legislative majority last year. Deadly battles ensued, killing more than 65 people, including little children, some of whom were targeted intentionally.
A recent poll of Arabs in Judea, Samaria and Gaza have revealed that most people consider themselves to be in the throes of a civil war. Almost 75 percent of the respondents think the security situation has deteriorated in the past few months, and leaders are increasingly concerned about an increasing exodus of educated and wealthy families who have fled to neighboring countries.
The deadly attack followed another truce that was announced earlier this week by the rival factions, and spurred dozens of gunfights throughout the region, leaving stores and shops shut down.
Hamas charged that the convoy was carrying military jeeps and weapons shipped from an Arab country and destined for the elite President Guard, the personal army of Abbas. Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan stated, "A large cargo of weapons was transported yesterday" via Egypt. "These weapons are intended for the Presidential Guard and the Fatah putschists," Radwan charged.
PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas stated that the convoy was carrying tents and medical supplies, and not weapons as Hamas contended.
The United States, with Israel's consent, has encouraged the influx of weapons for Fatah in order to make sure it has the upper hand against Hamas, which has been smuggling and stockpiling a huge array of weapons, including rocket propelled grenades, rockets and anti-tank missiles.
The Hamas and Fatah militias have been engaged in sporadic clashes until last December, when Abbas threatened he would call new legislative elections in the wake of Hamas's refusal to agree to terms for a unity government, although Hamas handily won a legislative majority last year. Deadly battles ensued, killing more than 65 people, including little children, some of whom were targeted intentionally.
A recent poll of Arabs in Judea, Samaria and Gaza have revealed that most people consider themselves to be in the throes of a civil war. Almost 75 percent of the respondents think the security situation has deteriorated in the past few months, and leaders are increasingly concerned about an increasing exodus of educated and wealthy families who have fled to neighboring countries.