Hamas blames Fatah for attempted hit

GAZA, March 31 (UPI) -- The Hamas government in Gaza said Sunday the attack on a senior leader of the rival Fatah was the result of dissension within the ranks of Fatah.

The Ministry of Interior said its investigation revealed the gunmen who opened fire on Jamal Obeid outside a mosque March 15 had been recruited by a militant Fatah group.

The suspects in the attack, which left Obeid with a wound to the foot, confessed they had been given a handgun and paid to shoot Obeid, the ministry said in a written statement. They had originally claimed they were tied to the Hamas al-Qassam Brigades.

The Ma'an news agency said the suspects were arrested within a few days of the shooting.