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Monday, October 22, 2007      New: Take a Stand

Hamas in protracted battle with Fatah clan in Gaza

GAZA CITY — The Hamas regime has targeted a major Palestinian clan aligned with the opposition Fatah movement.

Hamas's Executive Force has launched a crackdown on the Hellas clan in Gaza City. The clan, one of the most powerful in the northern Gaza Strip, has contributed hundreds of members to Fatah and Palestinian Authority security forces, Middle East Newsline reported.

On early Thursday, EF units clashed with the Hellas clan in Gaza City. In an eight-hour battle that included rocket-propelled grenades and mortars, at least four Palestinians were killed and 34 injured. Most of the injured were said to have been security officers.

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Palestinian sources said EF forces, equipped with anti-tank missiles, arrived to Hellas clan headquarters in the Shejaiyeh neighborhood in eastern Gaza City to arrest a key member. They said Adel Hellis, a former PA police commander, was stopped as he was driving near his home and detained by Hamas troops. At that point, Hamas fired missiles toward Adel's home, which was heavily damaged.

Hellas clan members sought to force Hamas to release Adel and a battle ensued. The sources said two EF officers and two Hellas clan members were killed.

The fighting ended on Thursday when a truce was mediated by the Popular Resistance Committees, aligned with Al Qaida.

Hellis clan members have been suspected of being active in the car theft industry in the Gaza Strip. Some of the members were also said to have participated in the Fatah insurgency against the Hamas regime.

The Interior Ministry said the incident began when "members of the Hellis family" open fire on late Oct. 17 toward Hamas police. The ministry said EF forces were summoned to arrest the snipers, who responded with machine-gun and RPG fire. The ministry said two officers were killed.

MEANWHILE, HAMAS, GAZA CLAN IN PROTRACTED FIGHTING GAZA CITY [MENL] -- Hamas has entered what could be a protracted battle with a powerful Fatah-aligned clan in the Gaza Strip.

At least seven people were killed in fighting between Hamas's Executive Force and the Hilles clan in Gaza City. Hilles has been targeted by the Hamas regime as being involved in car theft and other organized crime.

"The Interior Ministry is intent on disarming the family and capturing all rioters," Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Ihab Hussein said.

On Oct. 20, at least three people were killed and 35 injured in the fourth day of fighting between Hilles and EF in the eastern Gaza City neighborhood of Shejaiyeh. EF has accused Hilles of stealing a government-owned vehicle. Hilles said the vehicle was purchased.

Hilles has employed light weapons, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades. EF was said to have fired anti-tank missiles toward Hilles strongholds.

On Oct. 17, four people, including two EF officers, were killed in the opening round of clashes with Hilles. Palestinian sources said the Hamas attack on Hilles has split the clan into Fatah and Hamas factions. Islamic Jihad members of the clan were also said to have fought EF.

The Interior Ministry said the battle with Hilles included Hamas's Izzedin Kassam military wing. Hussein said Hilles fighters tried to fire a mortar shell toward Hamas forces over the weekend.

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