Radical group leader dies in clashes in Gaza

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Clashes between Hamas security forces and a radical, Pan-Arab, "Sunnite" Islamic group, have continued for a second day in the southern Gaza Strip.

The leader of the Islamic group blew himself up during a bloody shootout with security forces on Saturday.

Fighting erupted on Friday when Hamas security forces surrounded a mosque in the southern Gaza town of Rafah on the Egyptian border.

About 100 members of Jund Ansar Allah, or the Soldiers of the Companions of God, were holed up at the mosque.

Hamas officials said a total of 24 people, including six Hamas police officers and an 11-year-old girl, were killed in the violence. Another 150 people were wounded.

Ihab Ghussein, Spokesman of Hamas Interior Minister, said, "Right now, the area of Rafah is a closed military zone until we make sure everything is back to normal. Unfortunately, there were many civilian victims in this incident. We hope that such events won't happen again."