GAZA CITY [MENL] -- Palestinian Authority forces have clashed with Hamas
insurgents in the Gaza Strip for the first time in more than a year.PA forces stormed Hamas strongholds and in the ensuing gunfight at least
five Hamas members were killed and 30 injured. Monday's operation came in
wake of
an assassination of a senior PA officer by Hamas gunmen. Hamas denied being
involved in the assassination.A PA statement said a Hamas force of 20 agents, dressed in police
uniforms, abducted and killed Col. Rajah Abu Yehya, 55. Abu Yehya was
identified as head of the PA riot police who led operations against Hamas
and its supporters.The statement said Palestinians threw stones at PA police who sought to
arrest Hamas agents after the assassination on Monday. Thousands of Hamas
supporters later surrounded and torched a police station in Gaza City.
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