KHAN YUNIS, Dec 13: A prominent member of Hamas was gunned down in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Bassam Al Farra, 28, was driving to work in Khan Yunis when he was ambushed by men in another vehicle, security sources said.

He was a judge at the Beni Suheila court in the town and also served as local commander of Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades.

The group blamed the Fatah party for the shooting and vowed revenge. “A death squadron composed of suspected elements of the preventive security force and Fatah” was behind the shooting, a statement said.

Mr Farra “had been repeatedly threatened by this suspect gang,” it said, promising “to track down the assassins and those behind them and bring them to justice. We will avenge ourselves against these criminal agents.”

In a statement, Hamas accused ‘Fatah pucthists’ of ordering the murder and of being responsible “for the security anarchy and armed chaos” reigning in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Arab League expressed deep sadness at the ongoing Palestinian feuding and called on all parties to take responsibility for containing the violence.

“The Arab League expresses its deep shock, condemnation and indignation at the security situation in the Palestinian territories,” Mohammed Sobeih, the assistant secretary-general in charge of Palestinian affairs, told reporters.

“There is a big responsibility for the presidency, the government, the Palestinian factions, civil society organisations and Muslim and Christian religious leaders to contain this trend as it affects the future of the Palestinian question,” he said.

Hundreds of demonstrators called by Fatah began assembling in Gaza City to denounce the increasing chaos.Wednesday's shooting threatened to increase tensions in Gaza ahead of a speech by President Abbas on Saturday in which he is expected to outline the measures he will take to resolve a months-long standoff with Hamas.—AFP