GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, Jan. 27, SPA -- Gunmen from the rival Hamasand Fatah movements battled in Gaza City for a third straight day Saturday, firing mortars and grenades in clashes that killed two men in the increasingly bloodypower struggle over the Palestinian government, according to The Associated Press. The deaths brought to 20 the number of Palestinians killedsince late Thursday, with at least 66 people wounded andefforts to forge a coalition government at a standstill. The latest fighting, which started late Thursday after aHamas activist was killed in a bombing, has been among thedeadliest in nearly two months of clashes. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas issueda statement calling for calm. But in a clear jab at the moderate Palestinian president,Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, Haniyeh criticized «trouble makerswho are trying to veer away from the path of our people»by receiving «dirty American funding and arms.» The WhiteHouse is seeking some $85 million (¤66 million) to helpbolster Abbas' forces. Abbas' spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, called for an end tothe infighting and a resumption of unity talks. Hiscomments were carried by the official WAFA news agency. The violence has been fueled by Abbas' pledge to callearly elections if the unity talks between Hamas and Fatahfail. Abbas, who is traveling in Europe, said this week hewould move forward with his election plan if the coalitiontalks don't produce results within three weeks. Hamas, which defeated Fatah in parliamentary electionslast year, opposes a new vote. Streets in the hardest-hit neighborhoods were desertedSaturday, and only bakeries and groceries opened forbusiness. Gaza City's main outdoor market was closed. AlAzhar University called off exams scheduled for Saturday,and the Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry, which overseesseveral security forces, told its employees to go home. A gun battle erupted Saturday near the Islamic University,killing one man, according to hospital officials. In afirefight elsewhere in the city, a Palestinian policemanwas killed. Before dawn Saturday, Hamas gunmen fired mortars at theAbbas-allied Preventive Security Service headquarters andat the home of the force's chief, Rashid Abu Shbak,officials said. In fighting around the compound on Friday, six Hamasgunmen were killed and a seventh died Saturday of woundssustained in that battle, said Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/421212