In a continuation of the conflict between Hamas and Fatah, who share control of the Palestinian government, Hamas has attacked Fatah forces and largely taken control of large portions of the Gaza strip. AP reports indicate that Hamas attacked Fatah security positions and president’s headquarters. The attackers are said to have used mortars, rockets and small arms fire, while Fatah security forces have apparently fled the area or surrendering en masse.

In other news relating to the Palestinian Territories, Fatah’s members of the cabinet have withdrawn until the fighting ends.

Terrorists bombed the two minarets of the Golden Dome mosque, the al-Askariya Shrine, Wednesday destroying both. The mosque was bombed in February of 2006, in an attack which destroyed the famed dome and led to increased Shi’a-Sunni violence.

The dome is said to have been guarded by as many as 85 additional police officers, from the ill-regarded Facilities Protection Service and the local police. Reports currently indicate that the Emergency Response Unit commander and 12 of his charges have been arrested for their role in the attack.

Following the attack, the political bloc, ostensibly led by Muqtada al-Sadr, temporarily withdrew from the Iraqi parliament. Both al-Sadr and highly regarded Shi’a cleric, Ayatollah Ali Sistani, have called for mourning and renewed efforts to avoid violent counterattacks. The Prime Minister ordered an open-ended curfew after the attack in an attempt to prevent reprisals.