GAZA CITY, 25 January 2007 — Fatah and Hamas gunmen clashed in the Gaza Strip yesterday, wounding at least four fighters, local residents said, a day after the rival factions set up a panel to form a unity government.

Residents said three civilians were wounded along with one Fatah gunman in the exchange of fire, which took place near the house of a senior fighter in Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction. Fatah accused Hamas’ so-called “executive force” of besieging the house. Hamas said the fighting broke out when its patrol came under Fatah fire.

Earlier yesterday, Fatah said unknown gunmen threw a grenade at one of its offices in Gaza, causing minor damage. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

At least 30 Palestinians have been killed in fighting between Hamas and Fatah since Abbas called last month for early presidential and parliamentary elections.

The latest wave of violence came one day after Palestinian factions including Hamas and Fatah resumed talks on forming a coalition government. Similar talks broke down last year.

Hamas leader and Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said the talks were conducted in a “conciliatory” spirit.

“We hope that such a spirit will continue until we reach the formation of the national unity government,” he said.

Earlier this week Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal held inconclusive unity talks in Damascus.

Salah Zidane, a negotiator at the unity talks said, “A drafting committee, composed of 11 members, was named and will meet this evening to set the foundations and principles of the political program of the national unity government.”

The governing program will be based on “the national accord,” a document signed at the end of June by the Palestinian factions, Zidane said, adding the current dialogue was slated to last just two weeks. “There is also an agreement to stop the incitement campaigns in the media and armed clashes, and to establish a board of inquiry,” to probe the factional fighting that has wracked the Gaza Strip in recent weeks, Zidane said.

— With input from agencies