GAZA CITY ø Palestinian security services have again engaged in internecine fighting.

The battles have pitted the PA Preventive Security Apparatus and Military Intelligence. Over the last day, at least eight people were injured in a shootout between the two agencies in Gaza City.

Palestinian sources said the fighting marked an effort within the ruling Fatah movement to unseat Military Intelligence commander Col. Mussa Arafat. Arafat, the nephew of PA Chairman Yasser Arafat, has been accused of corruption and torture of his opponents.

The PSA was said to be loyal to its former longtime commander, Col. Mohammed Dahlan. Dahlan has led an effort to force the resignation of key aides to the PA chairman.

On Tuesday, a shootout in Gaza City stemmed from an argument between a supporter of Dahlan and that of the junior Arafat. The battle lasted eight hours and witnesses said both sides employed automatic fire, grenades and rockets.

On Oct. 12, the junior Arafat was the target of a bombing outside of his headquarters in Gaza City. He was not injured.

The battle erupted as the PA chairman has been under pressure from the Palestinian Legislative Council to institute reforms. On Tuesday, Arafat's longtime financial adviser, Mohammed Rashid, announced that he was leaving his post.

Rashid, regarded as Arafat's most trusted adviser and manager of PA finances, told the Al Quds daily that he would leave his post on Jan. 1, 2005.

Rashid has been in Egypt for the last year in wake of Palestinian threats on his life.

In Jenin, the Fatah-dominated Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade raided PA offices in protest of the absence of their salaries and other benefits. The Fatah gunmen also raided and shut down offices of the PLC.