Two Hamas activists and two clan members were killed, when Hamas security forces came under fire as they tried to arrest members of the Heles clan in a suspected stolen vehicle.

Ihab al-Ghusain, spokesman for the ministry, said that a number of other clan members were arrested, when they tried to reinforce the group, adding that Ahmed Heles, first secretary of the Fatah revolution council, was believed to be among those detained.

Al-Ghusain said a cease fire was currently in place and the sides were holding talks on the extradition of suspects.

An unnamed Fatah source, said the conflict occurred when Hamas forces tried to seize a car belonging to a Heles member.

The Islamist Hamas group has controlled the Gaza Strip since overthrowing the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah forces in June, leaving Fatah in control of the West Bank. - RIA Novosti