Three die as Gaza factions clash

Three people were shot dead at a Fatah rally in the town of Khan Younis, at least one of them a Hamas policeman.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas earlier called for a "new page" to be opened in ties between Fatah and Hamas, which seized control of Gaza in June.

However, a Hamas spokesman said Mr Abbas's speech offered nothing new.

The fighting in Khan Younis erupted when Fatah attempted to hold a rally. The group celebrates the anniversary of its foundation in 1965 on 1 January.

Hamas said Fatah gunmen had opened fire from rooftops while Fatah said Hamas forces had raided houses, arresting dozens of Fatah members, the Associated Press reports.

"Police tried to disperse [the] small Fatah demonstration in Khan Younis that turned into a gun battle when gunmen opened fire on the police force," Hamas police spokesman Islam Shahwan told AFP news agency.

In his appeal for dialogue, Mr Abbas suggested holding early elections.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum accused Fatah of relying on the US and Israel instead of genuinely seeking dialogue with his organisation.