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.