By Xinhua,
Gaza : The police forces of Islamic Hamas movement clashed early Sunday morning with members of Army of Islam, an al-Qaida-linked group, in a southern Gaza City neighborhood, Hamas police said.
The police said in a statement sent to reporters that the police forces arrested early Sunday morning members of the Army of Islam organization in Sabra neighborhood in southern Gaza City, but the statement did not say how many members of the group were arrested.
Palestinian witnesses said that heavy clashes between Hamas security forces and members of the Army of Islam erupted after midnight and lasted for several hours until Sunday morning. Palestinian medical sources in Gaza said that at least eight people were injured in the clashes.
The Army of Islam is one of the three armed groups, including Hamas’ armed wing al-Qassam Brigades and the Popular Resistance Committees, which are responsible for capturing Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit two years ago.
Most of the Army of Islam militants are members of Doghmosh clan, which was responsible for abducting BBC reporter Alan Johnston in 2007 and for attacking churches and international organizations in the Gaza Strip.