Hamas/Fatah

    Hamas on Wednesday offered Fatah a conditional cease-fire, after at least 24 Palestinians, including two United Nations aid workers, were killed in fighting between the rival factions in the Gaza Strip throughout the day. Hamas militants waged an assault on the three main security forces compound in Gaza City, seizing control over most of the Gaza Strip. Hamas' armed wing said "the coup-seekers" - a reference to Fatah - in that area have until Friday evening to hand over their weapons. Hamas Islamist fighters gained ground on Wednesday against forces loyal to Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas in battles for control of the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian supremacy struggle he termed "madness". At least 27 people were killed in the latest violence in which Hamas expanded its attacks to the central and southern Gaza Strip and blew up a Fatah security headquarters, seizing its compound, media reported. The day's carnage raised the death toll since the current surge of bloodshed began on Saturday to 75, hospital officials said.(23,04)