Hamas: We Own Northern Gaza

Palestinian boys inspect the burnt house of senior Fatah leader Jamal Abu al-Jedian after fighting between Hamas and Fatah militants in the northern Gaza Strip June 12, 2007. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

The Palestinian civil war continues unabated, as the terror gang Hamas now boasts ownership of northern Gaza.

Hamas launched a full-scale attack Tuesday afternoon against Fatah security bases and positions in Gaza, and succeeded in taking over a number of them, Israel Radio reported.

Hamas-affiliated television said that the organization overtook the entire northern section of the Gaza Strip, the report stated.

Israel Radio also reported that a top Fatah military official sent a message to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas stating that security forces were holding their ground, but calling on the Fatah leader to order an end to the current policy of restraint, allowing troops to return fire.

Wait though, they're still waiting to decide the fate of the oddly-named unity government. Stop snickering.

GAZA (Reuters) - Hamas gunmen stormed a Fatah security headquarters in Gaza City on Tuesday, moving Palestinians closer to civil war, minutes after a deadline from the Islamist group to its rival to quit key strongholds expired.

President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction said its Central Committee would meet at 8 p.m. (1700 GMT) to decide whether to remain in the unity government it formed with Hamas in March in a bid to stop internal violence and ease Western sanctions.

In an ultimatum verging on a declaration of war, Hamas's armed wing had given Fatah until 1100 GMT to evacuate the military intelligence, presidential guard, national security and preventive security headquarters in Gaza City.