Violence continues in Gaza

Hamas has accused Fatah of mounting a plot to overthrow the Hamas-led government and vowed to avenge its members killed in factional fighting.

The UN has called on both parties to "cease clashes".

An explosion early on Sunday morning rocked the Gaza City home of a bodyguard to Mohammed Dahlan, the Fatah local commander, but the guard was not in the building and no casualties were reported.

Rocket attack

In another attack, anti-tank rockets and mortar shells were fired at Fatah's police headquarters.

At least eight people were wounded in exchanges of fire between the sides overnight, Palestinian security officials said on Sunday.

Major roads in Gaza City were blocked by concrete barriers put up by security personnel loyal to both factions, causing traffic jams as drivers were forced on to alternate roads.

Large security details loyal to both groups deployed at major street corners and outside potential targets, like the homes of Mahmoud Abbas, the president and leader of secular Fatah, and Ismail Haniya, the prime minister from the Islamist Hamas movement.

Security was also reinforced around Palestinian media outlets, and two Gaza City universities were shuttered.

Late on Saturday night, a 12-year-old boy was killed and two people were wounded in northern Gaza during a shootout, witnesses and hospital officials said.

The new death brought the Palestinian death toll from the fighting in the last three days to more than 22.

The boy's father, Baher Abu al-Karaya, a local Fatah leader, was injured in the gun battle. From his hospital bed, he told The Associated Press that Hamas fighters attacked his home.

Plea for calm

Hamas and an Abbas spokesman appealed for calm on Saturday.

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