GAZA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Security forces from the Hamas Islamist movement took up positions in the Gaza Strip on Friday ahead of possible rallies by the rival Fatah faction, in defiance of a ban imposed after clashes in recent weeks.

Fatah, which lost control of the enclave in fighting with Hamas three months ago, accused Hamas of killing one of its members overnight and said 26 of its members had been detained over the past day.

Islam Shahwan, a spokesman for Hamas's Executive Force security wing, denied any Hamas involvement in the killing, in which a second Fatah officer was wounded. He said his force was investigating the death.

The last two Fridays have seen stone-throwing and arrests after open-air weekly prayer meetings, arranged by Fatah as a way of circumventing Hamas's control of public demonstrations. However, Hamas, backed by some clerical authority, this week outlawed the holding of prayers in the open.

On Thursday, the Executive Force vowed to use an "iron fist" against those who violate the ban. But Fatah leaders have urged their supporters to turn out in large numbers.

Each side accuses the other of using religious gatherings to push their own political agenda.

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