GAZA, Feb 5: Unidentified gunmen burst into Gaza's police headquarters and opened fire on Thursday, wounding 11 officials, in what police said was a failed bid to assassinate the Palestinian national police chief.

A statement said Major General Ghazi al Jabali, a senior security appointee of President Yasser Arafat, escaped the gunbattle unhurt. Residents near the security compound in Gaza City reported hearing gunfire in the area.

"A group of lawless individuals of the lowest level tried to assassinate the founder of the Palestinian national police, sent by some parties that do not want security and peace for the homeland," a police statement said.

"(This was) a flagrant attack on Palestinian legitimacy and in violation of all ... standards of our heroic people."

The statement said the 11 wounded were policemen and bodyguards of Mr Jabali.

Possible reasons for the reported attempt to kill Mr Jabali were not given. But armed gangs have taken increasing sway in Gaza and the West Bank, sometimes fighting each other over black-market rackets, as Palestinian governance has weakened under Israeli army crackdowns.

Palestinians say many of the armed groups have spun off from Palestinian police and security services disabled by Israeli offensives. There have been periodic gang attacks on senior political and security figures. -Reuters