What next for Palestinians after killings?

After the killing of three sons of an intelligence chief loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the tension in the Palestinian territories continues to deepen. The situation raises many pertinent questions.

What is the latest?
Palestinians have been shocked by the drive-by shooting of the boys, aged between six and nine, outside their school. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, the first time children have been targeted in such a way. One senior official from Mr Abbas's Fatah faction blamed people very close to Hamas, the governing Islamist movement. Hamas has angrily denied the accusations and denounced the shooting. The killings come as tensions between Fatah and Hamas reach breaking point over failed efforts to form a unity government.

Risk of violence
The next few days will be critical. Any apparent revenge attacks or sustained casting of blame could spill over into street clashes. Security forces loyal to Mr Abbas and also Hamas have deployed in Gaza. These forces have clashed in the past, although so far there have been no incidents. Leaders from both factions have urged the authorities to find the killers of Colonel Baha Balousha's children. Some Fatah lawmakers have called on the government to resign for failing to curb chaos.

What is the political backdrop?
Mr Abbas's aides say the President plans to call for early elections in a speech on Saturday to be broadcast live on television. But they said he would leave the door open to dialogue with Hamas. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, has accused Mr Abbas of trying to topple the government. Palestinians had hoped a unity government would end a crippling Western boycott of the Hamas administration.

Will Abbas act?
Mr Abbas's aides have been warning for months the president would sack the government. Mr Abbas has been more circumspect, saying all options were open. His aides said he had told them his repeated efforts to convince Hamas to moderate had failed, leaving him no choice but to propose early presidential and parliamentary elections. Some analysts question whether Mr Abbas would risk possible civil war by firing the government and calling new elections.

Why have unity talks failed?
One major dispute has been over which faction would control key portfolios, such as the interior and finance ministry posts. Hamas has also refused to soften its stance toward Israel.

What are Abbas's constitutional powers?
The president has the authority to dismiss the prime minister, which would effectively remove the government. Mr Abbas could appoint a new prime minister, who would then name a cabinet, but this would require the approval of parliament, where Hamas has a majority.

Early elections?
The basic law, which acts as a constitution, has no provision on calling early parliamentary elections. Fatah officials say Abbas can do this by issuing a presidential decree. Hamas contends it would be illegal while some experts say it would be impossible without the legal framework.