The two main Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, say fighting between them in the Gaza Strip has turned into all-out civil war. On Tuesday, at least 25 Palestinians were killed and more than 100 wounded as forces loyal to Hamas seized increasing control across Gaza. Hamas fighters took the main headquarters of Fatah’s security force and grabbed key positions in several refugee camps. The death toll over the last five days of internal Palestinian fighting has now reached 55. More than 1,000 Palestinians marched through Gaza City chanting “stop the killing” but were dispersed by Hamas gunfire. Meanwhile, gunmen traded attacks on an empty home belonging to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and the Gaza offices of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah. Abbas has accused Hamas of staging a coup. Fatah officials also announced they will pull out of the Palestinian unity government until the violence stops. Palestinian Foreign Minister Ziad Abu Amr singled out the Israeli and U.S.-led international boycott on the Palestinian government as a source of the conflict. He said: “If you have two brothers put into a cage and deprive them of basic essential needs for life, they will fight. I don’t think we should put the blame on the victim.” Meanwhile, Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah al-Khatib called on all sides to take action.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah al-Khatib: “The main priority at this stage is to stop the Palestinian fighting so the Palestinians can face up to their challenges. We are also jointly calling on Israel to act positively with regards to the Palestinians’ right to receive their money that is being held by Israel.”