Palestinian gunmen storm Gaza government

Dozens of Palestinian gunmen stormed Gaza's government compound Monday, exchanging fire with Palestinian police, and witnesses said four people were wounded.

Photo: Palestinian gunmen storm Gaza government

The takeover by the gunmen, affiliated with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, was the fourth such incident in Gaza on Monday. It came a day after the rival Hamas group, which won January parliament elections, presented its new Cabinet to Abbas for approval.

Many Fatah activists fear for their government jobs under Hamas rule.

Three dozen gunmen firing in the air charged toward the complex, which includes the Foreign and Finance ministries. Moments later, Palestinian police jeeps pulled up to the buildings and exchanged fire with the gunmen.

AP reporter Ibrahim Barzak was in the Foreign Ministry at the time of the attack. Near him, a security guard in the reception area was hit by two stray bullets in the legs. Other employees ran for cover, pressing close to walls or hiding under tables. Bullets smashed windows.

Eventually, police stormed the ministry and began searched for the gunmen, going room to room. Dozens more officers surrounded the buildings. Three Al Aqsa gunmen were eventually arrested.

In total, two gunmen and two security officials were wounded in the exchange of fire.

Earlier in the day, gunmen briefly took over Gaza's power plant, blocked a road leading to the main Israel-Gaza crossing point and briefly entered a military hospital.

On the road leading to Erez, the three dozen gunmen blocking the road exchanged, reports the AP.