GAZA, June 5 (Reuters) - Hamas and Fatah forces fought a two-and-a-half-hour long gun battle on Tuesday in the Gaza Strip near the Karni commercial crossing, the most serious flare-up in factional fighting in two weeks.

At least one member of President Mahmoud Abbas's Presidential Guard was wounded in what the force described as an attempt by Hamas to infiltrate a key position near Karni.

Hamas officials confirmed the gun battle but said the Presidential Guard initiated the exchange. A senior Western security source who works with the Presidential Guard said several Hamas fighters were hurt.

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