Gaza infighting shocks media

Hamas gunmen attacked rival Fatah forces at a key crossing along the Israeli border

Media across the Arab world express shock and disbelief over the ongoing fighting between the Fatah and Hamas factions in the Gaza Strip.

Commentators say Tuesday's violence was especially troubling since it took place on the day Palestinians marked the anniversary of the Nakba - or catastrophe - associated with Israel's establishment 59 years ago.

They say division will harm the Palestinian cause, and urge the factions to clear up their differences through dialogue.

Gaza TV on Wednesday interrupted normal scheduling to cover the storming of the home of Fatah security chief Rashid Abu Shbak and later showed graphic images of the aftermath.

EDITORIAL IN PALESTINIAN AL-QUDS

Our brothers fighting in the Gaza Strip should embrace each other instead of fighting, otherwise, your cause and people will be endangered and Palestine will never be able to hold its head up.

UMAR HILMI AL-GHUL IN PALESTINIAN AL-HAYAT AL-JADIDAH

The new Nakba (Palestinian infighting) is much greater than the defeat in 1948 to the Israeli enemy. Dialogue should remain the main objective. If this fails, then President Mahmud Abbas will have to endorse the option of sacking the national unity government and calling early elections.

ABD-AL-BARI ATWAN IN PAN-ARAB AL-QUDS AL-ARABI

The clashes are a shameful disgrace by any measure.

EDITORIAL IN PAN-ARAB AL-ARAB AL-ALAMIYAH

Palestinians and Arabs are witnessing the events in Gaza in deep shock and pain. The two sides, which are responsible for the national struggle, are clashing on the Nakba anniversary and they know beforehand that the outcome of these clashes will only benefit the enemy.

MAHMUD AL-HABBASH IN PALESTINIAN AL-HAYAT AL-JADIDAH

This is a coup against the Palestinian cause and only national unity can now protect it but now this unity is being slaughtered by stupid fighting.

EDITORIAL IN EGYPT'S AL-AHRAM

This Palestinian infighting ruins the sympathy and support Palestinians have reaped for their cause over long years. This fighting undermines ambitions for establishing a Palestinian state and discourages other countries that are willing to make efforts and extend aid.

MUHAMMAD BARAKAT IN EGYPT'S AL-AKHBAR

Those fratricidal brothers are engaged in a bloody, aggressive, cowardly, unjustifiable conflict. O fratricidal brothers, have mercy on your poor people!

EDITORIAL IN SAUDI ARABIA'S AL-WATAN

No wise Arab or foreigner can explain the ongoing fighting between brothers in Palestinian territories... Yesterday marked the 59th anniversary of Palestine's Nakba. Palestinians celebrated the anniversary through more bloodshed among each other.

ABDALLAH IMRAN IN UAE'S AL-KHALIJ

The warring factions ought to be ashamed of themselves.

ANCHOR FOR GAZA TV

We tell all the killers and criminals: You will not escape the Palestinian people's justice... Our Palestinian people will reach all these criminals, murderers and traitors who are openly carrying out acts of terrorism in front of our Palestinian people.

BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.