Breaking News - Shots shatter Gaza truce

CLASHES have erupted between forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Hamas Government in Gaza, leaving five dead in the worst fighting since the rivals agreed to a fragile truce two weeks ago.

At least nine people were wounded in incidents across the Gaza Strip, hospital officials said.

Gunmen abducted a Hamas Government aide in Ramallah on the West Bank. In Jenin, gunmen fired at the home of the Palestinian Minister for Prisoner Affairs, Wasfi Kabha. He was not hurt.

In the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza, a woman died when caught in the crossfire of a clash between rival forces. Nine others were wounded, mostly combatants.