Hamas kills 8 Fatah members in Gaza ambush

Palestinian infighting worsens, threatening fragile coalition government

IMAGE: Palestinian grieves at the morgue at Gaza Strip hospital

A Palestinian grieves at the morgue in the Deir el-Balah hospital in the central Gaza Strip where the bodies of killed security officers were brought after Tuesday's fighting.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Hamas gunmen on Tuesday ambushed rival Fatah forces near a key crossing along the Israeli border, killing eight people in the deadliest battle yet in three days of factional fighting.

At least 20 people, including 11 total on Tuesday, have died in the fighting, bringing life in Gaza to a standstill and pushing the fragile Palestinian unity government closer to collapse. Hamas and Fatah formed the union to end months of violence.

Tuesday’s fighting began when Hamas gunmen approached a training base used by Fatah forces that guard the crossing, officials said. The base was set up in part by a U.S. security team sent to train Palestinians on how to check cargo and bags at crossings.