Gaza tensions rise

Rival Palestinian forces faced off at Gaza's border crossing with Egypt yesterday after a Hamas official was caught with €639,000 hidden in his clothing, authorities said.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh vowed during Friday prayers not to disband a new Hamas-led security force and said he was prepared to increase its size in defiance of President Mahmoud Abbas and the Bush administration.

About 100 Hamas gunmen raced to the Rafah crossing where Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri was caught with the money. Rafah is guarded by Mr Abbas's presidential guard, raising fears of fresh Palestinian infighting after overnight clashes.

Mr Abbas's elite guard also called in reinforcements. Hamas said Abu Zuhri was carrying Arab donations for the new government, which is desperately short of funds, and for Palestinians in Israeli jails.

"Is it a crime to bring in money?" Haniyeh said, defending his spokesman. "Are the Palestinian people being forced to starve?"

Abu Zuhri told Reuters: "If bringing support for my people is a crime then I am very proud of this crime."

Abu Zuhri initially refused to leave the border terminal without the money, which was confiscated by Palestinian customs agents. He later left and the gunmen withdrew. The militant group said it expected the money to be quickly returned.

But senior Abbas aide Saeb Erekat said the president had ordered an investigation by the Palestinian attorney general.

The Palestinian Authority is facing a financial crisis after international donors suspended aid because of the Hamas-led government's refusal to renounce violence and recognise Israel since coming to power in March.

The standoff followed gun battles overnight in Gaza City between police and a new security force set up by the Hamas-led government in defiance of Mr Abbas. Four people were hurt in the first fighting since the force deployed on Wednesday.

The clashes sent terrified residents fleeing from the streets, where tension has soared amid fears of civil war. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called the emergence of rival security forces a "dangerous situation".