Radical groups battle Hamas in Gaza

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Islamic radicals from an al-Qaida-inspired group have been in a battle with Hamas security in the Gaza Strip. At least 16 people were killed during the conflict. The fighting began when Hamas forces surrounded a mosque in the southern town of Rafah. About 100 members of Jund Ansar Allah were holed up there. Hamas security later raided the mosque.

The confrontation was triggered when the leader of the group defied Gaza's Hamas rulers by declaring in his Friday prayer sermon that the territory was an Islamic emirate. Extremist groups have criticized Hamas for not imposing Islamic law in Gaza and are upset that the Hamas regime has honored a cease-fire with Israel for the past seven months.