Hamas hails 'liberation of Gaza'
Updated on 14 June 2007
Hamas has taken over Fatah headquarters amid fears that the violence could destabilise the entire region.
Green flags fly from the rooftops and Hamas has declared the 'liberation of Gaza' with its militant Islamist forces now controlling almost the entire territory.
President Abbas has signed decrees to dissolve the now defunct unity government and declare a state of emergency.
Key security headquarters belonging to his Fatah movement have been overrun and their contents trashed as dozens of fighters were marched away, their future in the hands of Hamas fighters with orders to kill. The Voice of Palestine radio station, run by Fatah, was also set ablaze.
Inside Gaza, fighting has raged throughout the 25-mile territory. In Gaza City, Hamas fighters overran Fatah-controlled security buildings, including the Preventive Security Headquarters and the Intelligence Headquarters.
They also secured their push into Fatah's southern strongholds, including Khan Younis and the vital border town of Rafah, where another Fatah headquarters was captured.
Fatah forces are said to be holding out in just three places: the presidential compound in the capital, and the border crossings of Eres and Karni. There were also some clashes in the West Bank town of Nablus.
The Palestinian territories are now effectively split in two: an Islamist-run Gaza with the western backed Fatah under President Abbas confined to the West Bank with fears that the violence could destabilise the entire region.
