The deaths brought to 20 the number of Palestinians killed since late Thursday, and at least 66 people were wounded, medical officials said. The rival Hamas and Fatah movements traded angry accusations, and each held several supporters of the other side hostage.

The violence froze talks about bringing Fatah into the Hamas-led government, negotiators said. Fatah's leader, moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said he would go ahead with his plan to call early elections if the coalition negotiations fail to produce results within two to three weeks.

The Gaza fighting, which started late Thursday, was among the deadliest in nearly two months.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas called for calm, but in a clear jab at Abbas, criticized ``troublemakers who are trying to veer away from the path of our people'' by receiving ``dirty American funding and arms.'' The U.S. recently pledged more than $80 million to help bolster Abbas' forces.

Streets in the hardest-hit neighborhoods were deserted Saturday, and only bakeries and grocery stores open for business. Al Azhar University called off exams, and the Interior Ministry told its employees to go home."

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for news purposes only, it is not meant to inflame the passions of the peace loving members of the Nation of Islam who have been obliged to kill infidels over a perceived slight in the past, which this was not meant to be, it was only a news story. Now if it had been an offensive cartoon...well, as they say in Iran, heads would roll, but, it wasn't and no offense was meant. I hope that clears it up and I thank you. Peace out.