Gaza update; 22, including the head of the Salafi and Jihad group, killed in Gaza

Palestinian sources in the Gaza Strip reported that 22 Palestinians, including policemen, members of the Salafi and Jihad group (Jund Allah) and its leader Abdul-Latif Mousa, were killed and more than 130 were injured, some seriously, in the clashes between Hamas' security forces and the Al Qassam Brigades from one side, and gunmen of the new group from the other.

Funeral on slain residents, fighters in Gaza - Palestine-info

The group was labeled as having close ties with the Al Qaida terrorist network, and its leader had previously announced Rafah as the starting point of the Muslim fundamental emirate.

Sheikh Mousa was killed in clashes that took place around a house, where he barricaded himself, in Al Barazil neighborhood, in Rafah.  Six Hamas fighters, a man and a child were killed in the clashes that took place before Hamas' security forces managed to kill Mousa.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Interior Ministry in Gaza declared all hospitals in Rafah as closed zones to all media outlets.

It also demanded the rest of the Salafi fighters to surrender, and said that those who do not surrender will be met by force.

Taher Al Nunu, spokesperson of Hamas, sent his condolences to the families of slain fighters and civilians, and added that his government will not allow any group to jeopardize Gaza's security.

The clashes started Friday when the Hamas security forces attacked the gunmen who barricaded themselves in a Rafah mosque along with their leader after he declared the establishment of a Muslim Emirate starting in Rafah.

Fathi Hammad, Interior Minister at the Hamas government in Gaza, said that his ministry had to fight the outlawed group after exhausting all efforts to convince them to surrender, and added that his government will not allow any group to violate the law.

At a funeral seven slain fighters and security officers, Hammad thanked the police and the security forces for their important role in the fight against the outlawed group.