A violent confrontation, including exchanges of gunfire, between Hamas and PLO militiamen took place this morning in Gaza when the latter attempted to arrest Abdel Aziz Rantisi, one of Hamas\' leading terrorists. When the PLO forces arrived in Rantisi’s neighborhood, mosque loudspeakers called on residents of the neighborhood to help defend him. Hundreds of Hamas members arrived to prevent the arrest, and the confrontation escalated into a gun battle. PLO sources reported that five civilians and two PLO men were injured. The situation developed into a standoff when PLO militiamen surrounded Rantisi’s house, but made no further attempts at entry.