Hamas, Fatah, Violence Spreads

Fatah gunmen raided parliament buildings controlled by Hamas rivals in the West Bank as infighting among Palestinians spread Saturday.

  The show of force by Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades — Fatah’s military wing — followed Hamas’ takeover in Gaza, which left more than 100 dead, CNN reported.

The Brigades Saturday also took over the Hamas-controlled legislative council in Nablus.

The move came a day after Hamas, which won parliamentary elections under Prime Minster Ismail Haniyeh last year, consolidated its control over Gaza.

The leader of Fatah, President Mahmoud Abbas, Thursday dismissed Haniyeh and dissolved the coalition government and planned to swear in an interim prime minister, Salam Fayyad, to lead an emergency government.

Fayyad is known for his expertise in international banking and was finance minister in the short-lived coalition government, which formed in March.

United Nations officials said they are concerned about the welfare of the 1.5 million Palestinians living in Gaza and may be in need of food and medical care, BBC News reported.